Retailers are pulling out all the stops to resupply north Queensland stores as quickly as possible, says the ANRA
February 2, 2011
Panic-buying is understandable but unnecessary, according to the Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA), as major supermarket chains work around the clock to resupply stores in northern Queensland.
CEO Margy Osmond says while there may be some items missing from the shelves, retailers have pulled out the stops to make sure that they can resupply as quickly as possible.
“Our major supermarkets always plan for increased demand and some nervous over-purchasing during the cyclone season in northern Queensland,” the ANRA says in a company statement today.
“This year the capacity to stock for the expected cyclone season has been impacted by the earlier floods which have affected the usual supply plans for this time of the year,” it says.
According to the ANRA, significant supplies on top of standard deliveries have been on the road and sea routes since the weekend when it became clear that the situation in northern Queensland would be serious.
“The major retailers have moved as much essential item stock north as quickly as possible and within the confines of safety, have looked to position trucks in the nearest distribution centres and ships as close as possible, to the cyclone zone,” the association says.
Essential items which have experienced an increase in
demand include: torches, batteries, nappies, toilet rolls, bottled water and non-perishable groceries.
The ANRA assures retailers are working closely with the Queensland Government via Emergency Management Queensland, the Premier’s office and local disaster management authorities to address any supply issues.
“A retail emergency group has been formed to work through the impact of these cyclones,” it says.