BUYER restrictions for a number of products have been reinstated at Woolworths Millicent in response to renewed nationwide panic buying prompted by COVID-19.
Despite the production of tens of millions of toilet rolls each year at the nearby Kimberly-Clark Australia Millicent Mill, Woolworths stores are limiting customers to a maximum of two packs per customer, per shop.
A similar limit applies to paper towels which are also made at the Millicent Mill.
Signage advising of the purchase limits appeared on the doors and shelves of Woolworths in recent days and The South Eastern Times has observed some Millicent Mill toilet paper lines are not currently on the shelves at Woolworths’ Millicent store.
The toilet paper rationing was introduced by major retailers in February and remained in place for several weeks.
Woolworths Millicent manager Benjamin Peck has declined to comment.
Woolworths Supermarkets managing director Claire Peters said the precautionary move was designed to support appropriate social distancing in stores and ensure customers had access to the products they need.
She said Woolworths continued to report good stock levels flowing through its warehouse and into stores.
“We have regrettably started to see elevated demand for toilet roll move outside Victoria,” she said.
“We have ordered more than 650,000 additional packs of toilet roll into our network, which is an increase of more than 30pc on our usual volumes.
“We have plenty of stock for all of us, so we encourage our customers to buy only what they need and think of others in the community as they shop.”
Ms Peters said there were no other product limits other than toilet paper and paper towel outside of Victoria at this time.
Woolworths Millicent shopper Michelle Collins said the toilet paper rationing would not impact her household.
“We shop for toilet paper about every two weeks and we are well stocked,” Ms Collins said.
