Aodhán Connolly: ‘If we are kind, think of others and buy responsibly we will get through this’

Our members continue to work round-the-clock to ensure consumers have access to the products they need. Retailers are putting in place the measures necessary to meet the current increase in demand.

Where people are self-isolating it is not just up to supermarkets, but also friends and neighbours to support them in getting the goods they need. This is a time for everyone to come together and support one another, particularly those who are vulnerable.

The big message is that supply chains remain good. Even where there are challenges, retailers are well-versed in providing effective measures to keep retail sites running smoothly, and they are working with suppliers to increase the supply of goods.

The vast majority of the problems are being caused by people over buying when there is no need to.

We need people to buy responsibly. We are getting deliveries daily and we are working with the government to ensure that things get through. Even this past weekend the Infrastructure minister has written to councils to ask them to reduce the curfews and restrictions on deliveries, which means that we will be able to get more through.

She has also relaxed regulations on driver hours to allow us more time to get the things you need to stores.

This all shows that lines of communication with the government are working.

We need to be working together on this. There is enough for everyone if everyone is responsible and works together. There are people out there who are vulnerable, who don’t have enough to do more than one shop a week, who don’t have enough money to stock up — people like the elderly, carers, the disabled and people who can’t get into town and go to several shops.

We need for people to think of others and buy responsibly and that way there will be enough for all.

Some stores have brought in limits on what can be bought to make sure everyone gets access to what they need.

These limits are proportionate to the needs of households while also ensuring that everyone has access to these items.

We also need to be mindful of our colleagues in retail who are doing an amazing job in difficult circumstances. From drivers to warehouse staff, to colleagues on tills, they have all stepped up to meet the increased demand from shoppers. But there are instances where people have become frustrated over queues or stock availability and have taken it out on colleagues. That’s not acceptable nor is it part of the job.

So another key message is to be kind to our workers, because they are doing their very best.

This is a turbulent time for us all but if we remember to be kind, buy responsibly and think of others we will get through it.

Aodhán Connolly, Director, NI Retail Consortium