Sainsbury’s to ease buying restrictions on most products

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Sainsburys dairy

The retailer’s three-item limit has been lifted on thousands of products but remains on the most popular lines

Products such as pasta, UHT milk and antibacterial hand gels are still subject to the three-item limit
Sainsbury’s is set to follow Asda, M&S and Waitrose by introducing a volunteer gift card in the coming weeks
It has also pledged its support to a new joint appeal from Comic Relief and BBC Children in Need

Sainsbury’s has rolled back buying restrictions on most lines as coronavirus-fuelled demand eases and stock levels return to normal.

It is the latest supermarket to lift the rationing put in place after shoppers stripped shelves across all categories at the height of panic-buying before the UK was placed in lockdown to suppress the outbreak.

CEO Mike Coupe said in an update to customers this morning the move was partly motivated by concerns that product limits were a barrier to being able to shop for other people stuck at home, such as the elderly and vulnerable or those self-isolating.

The three-item limit has now been lifted on thousands of products, but remain on the most popular lines, including pasta, UHT milk, antibacterial hand gels and some tinned and frozen foods.

“I also want to reassure you that stock levels are now much better right across the store,” Coupe wrote in the message. “You can now feel confident in shopping in our stores at any time of day and being able to find most of what you need.”

Sainsbury’s will also introduce a volunteer gift card and online voucher “in the next week or two” to help those shopping for others.

The supermarket also pledged its support to a new joint appeal from Comic Relief and BBC Children in Need to raise money for people of all ages and backgrounds across the UK who have been severely affected as a result of Covid-19.

Sainsbury’s, which has raised over £130m during its partnership with Comic Relief, will be matching donations given by customers, with funds raised split evenly between the two charities.

Customers will be able to donate at tills in-store by rounding up their bill to £1, £5, £10 or £15 on manned checkouts or by adding £1, £2, £5 or £10 donations to their basket on self-service checkouts. Alternatively, customers can donate online at the Sainsbury’s and Argos websites by following the links to ‘The Big Night In’ or by giving their Nectar card points to the value of £2.50, £5 or £10.

Coupe said: “We’re proud to be working with Comic Relief in an effort to help those in need – it is more important than ever to be supporting charities and the crucial work that they do to help the most vulnerable in society.

“We have seen countless humbling examples of our colleagues going above and beyond to support our most vulnerable customers, and as a business we are moving to implement initiatives such as stocking The Big Issue magazine to help vendors who are unable to sell on streets across the UK.

“Over the years, Sainsbury’s and Comic Relief have helped fund projects that are saving and changing lives. We want to continue to give customers the chance to make a donation in this difficult time both online and in-store, and we’re proud to pledge to match their generosity pound for pound.”

As part of the appeal, on Thursday 23 April from 7pm to 10pm BBC One will broadcast ‘The Big Night In’, with Children in Need and Comic Relief joining forces for the first time.

Comic Relief CEO Ruth Davison added: “We are incredibly grateful to Sainsbury’s customers and colleagues. Thank you to all the people making heroic efforts to keep shelves stacked and food on our tables at this difficult time. And for the customers who give generously even though money is tight.

“With the help of matched giving from Sainsbury’s, we will be able to achieve so much more, not only keeping vulnerable people safe, warm and fed, but also helping people who are struggling with their mental health and those at risk of domestic abuse.”