Irymple shelves empty as toilet paper restrictions start

TOILET paper is now in such high demand that supermarkets across the country have tightened buying restrictions.

Woolworths has placed a limit of two packs per transaction on the in-demand product, while Fishers IGA Irymple, Aldi and Coles have each implemented a one-pack transaction limit.

Fishers IGA Irymple store manager Matt Carter said toilet paper became more sought after halfway through last week and the shelves were restocked several times only to be wiped bare within hours.

Fishers IGA Irymple was out of toilet paper on Monday and will not receive more stock from its supplier until Wednesday.

The toilet paper crisis comes as people prepare for a COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in Australia.

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Coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East respiratory syndrome.

However, the coronavirus does not affect people’s bowels and the rush by Australians to stock up on toilet paper has come as a shock to many retailers.

Mr Carter said in his 20 years in retail trade he had never seen anything like this.

“We had a bit of trouble with (bottled) water when we had the blue-green algae a few months ago, but at least we had some water,” he said.

Mr Carter said stocking up on toilet paper was “ridiculous”.

“We’re not going to run out of toilet paper,” he said.

“Our suppliers are both in Australia so none of the raw materials come from overseas.”

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Mr Carter said the reason Fishers IGA Irymple had put a one-pack limit in place was to allow everyone to get some toilet paper.

“It’s just a big hoo-ha, that’s all it is,” he said.

“Everyone is trying to get it now and I feel sorry for the people that actually need it, not the ones that are stockpiling – they’re the ones that want the product and can’t get it.”

A Woolworths spokesman said the supermarket was continuing to work closely with its suppliers to get products on the shelves as quickly as possible.

“The makers of Kleenex, Sorbent, Quilton and Woolworths’ own range of toilet paper are continuing to produce extra stock in Australian facilities to meet the demand,” he said.

“As a result, large volumes of toilet paper supply are flowing through daily to our stores across Australia. With this ongoing stock delivery, we encourage customers to continue purchasing only what they require.”

Mr Carter said other IGA stores across Sunraysia were feeling the pinch and had restricted the amount of toilet paper people could buy in one transaction.

“It’ll be one or two, depending on their stock levels,” he said.

“Our supplier has also cut back – we’re only able to order five cartons of each type because they’re running short as well.”

Coronavirus update

The Victorian Government recommends people who have travelled to mainland China, Iran, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea or Thailand and become unwell seek medical advice and be tested for coronavirus.

The current Australian Government advice is not to travel to China, Iran or South Korea.

People who are concerned about the coronavirus should call 1800 675 398 or got to www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.