Woolworths and Coles will re-impose limits on essential items in its Victorian stores to prevent a second wave of panic-buying.
Both Supermarkets will enforce purchasing limits on toilet paper, hand sanister, paper towels, flour, sugar, pasta, mince, long life milk, eggs and rice from this afternoon.
Coles will also introduce restrictions on stores located near the border in New South Wales.
The reports of panic buying follow the state's eight consecutive days of double-digit COVID-19 infections.
The outbreak has prompted the state government to reinstate some social distancing restrictions and name eight local government areas as COVID-19 hotspots.
Users on social media have observed a rise in demand for supermarket staples in areas singled out for high rates of community transmission.
“Following discussion with the Federal and Victorian governments as well as other retailers, Coles is implementing temporary purchase limits for our Victorian supermarkets to help us manage demand for key staple items,” Coles Group CEO Steven Cain said.
“We ask that customers continue to shop normally so that everyone can have access to the food and groceries they need.”
"We understand many Victorians are anxious about the recent community outbreak, but they can be assured our stores will remain open with plenty of stock in our warehouses to replenish our shelves," Woolworths managing Director Claire Peters said.
“While we have healthy stock levels to draw on, we’re taking this precautionary step to help prevent excessive buying and support appropriate social distancing in our Victorian stores.
“We have more than enough product for all of our customers if we all just buy what we need in our weekly shop.
“We’ll closely monitor demand across Victoria in the coming days and look to wind back the limits as soon as we can.”
Woolworths will also apply the limits to it's online store.
Widespread panic buying on essential items peaked in March and April as governments began to impose new coronavirus restrictions.
The phenomenon led to a 24 per cent rise in turnover for food retailers in March, according to the ABS.
Scenes of aisles being crowded by shoppers stripping shelves drew strong condemnation from the Prime Minister.
"It's ridiculous, it's un-Australian, and it must stop,” Scott Morrison said.
"It is not sensible, it is not helpful and it has been one of the most disappointing things I have seen in Australian behaviour in response to this crisis."
Demand across the country has since fallen - with Woolworths and Coles removing item limits as stock levels recovered.
