The struggle is real as supermarkets across the region once again experience shortages in the supply of meat, toilet paper and disinfectant products.
As Omicron infections surge, currently shortages are being attributed to supply problems in production, transport and distribution.
Among the retailers experiencing supply issues is IGA Millicent.
Manager Sukhchain Dhaliwa warned there will be a limit on toilet paper and disinfectant products in coming days.
Mr Dhaliwa said his supermarket first started to experience shortages in the meat department around two weeks ago, then on Monday (January 17) he received notification of other limits.
Australia has experienced supermarket shortages since the COVID pandemic began.
This time workers across a number of industries have fallen ill or have been close contacts required to isolate.
Mr Dhaliwa said none of his workers have had to isolate or quarantine, but said he was prepared if COVID or its variant Omicron affected the workplace.
“We have some (Rapid Antigen Test) kits saved for our workers just in case we need,” he said.
In 2020 and 2021, empty shelves were due to spikes in demand, as shoppers responded to lockdowns.
Added to this now is shoppers’ response to shortages, or the expectation of shortages.
As people buy more in response, the once full shelves are stripped bare and left barren until the next truck arrives with limited products, prompting many supermarkets to introduce purchase limits.
Mr Dhaliwa said this method may need to be reintroduced on some products in order for the store to keep serving everyone.
The Millicent store utilises Blue Lake Transport to deliver stock twice a week.
Although Mr Dhaliwa was unable to foresee when supply would return to normal, he said customers’ response to the shortages have mostly been understanding.
“As per the discussion with suppliers we are not sure when stock will return to normal.
“Hopefully within a couple of weeks,” he said.
The store is offering a delivery service to customers who are in isolation or unable to make it to the store.
Mr Dhaliwa said he and the IGA Millicent staff wished to thank the community for supporting local business during what has been a tough year for everyone.
“We would also like to thank our staff, suppliers and other local businesses for their support,” he said.
