Shoppers heading to Asda to stock up on their Christmas essentials may be in for a frustrating trip as the supermarket faces a shopping trolley shortage in what is typically its biggest week of the year.
According to a report in today’s Telegraph, Asda is still waiting for the order of new trolleys it placed back in October, as suppliers in China battle with strict Covid restrictions and a recent spike in cases.
As a result, some stores have seen shoppers faced with empty trolley racks during the crucial lead-up to Christmas, as consumers head to supermarkets to stock up on festive food and drink for the big day.
Supermarkets – particularly those within walking distance of residential areas – constantly have to replace stolen trolleys, factoring the associated costs and logistical complications into their business.
Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free
Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning
An Asda spokesperson said: “We know that a small number of stores have fewer trolleys available than normal and apologise to customers for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Other supermarkets are also believed to be affected by the shortage, with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) stating that retailers are “working with suppliers to address a shortage in materials associated with shopping trolleys”.
It also said the shortage was currently only affecting “a small number of stores”.
A spokesman for storage and logistics company Palletower told the Telegraph that Covid restrictions in Shanghai are “quite strict” at the moment, with factories “getting shut down every few weeks”.
“We can buy massive stock in advance, but [other] companies will order just in time for it to arrive for the customer. If that supplier has a Covid outbreak in China, they can get shut down for two weeks.”
