First it was toilet paper, and now it seems consumers are stocking up on alcohol amid growing fears of a further lockdown.
Dan Murphy’s and BWS have assured consumers that there is sufficient stock of alcohol in their stores but is placing purchase limits on some products to manage demand.
Now BWS shoppers can buy a maximum of: four cases of beers, premix and cider; 12 bottles of wine; three casks of wines or four bottles of spirits.
BWS has also placed floor markings for shoppers to stand on to ensure distancing themselves from other consumers while they are at the checkout. The store has also placed a perspex sneeze guards to protect the customers and the staff.
“We’re proud to be part of the Woolworths Group. It’s like family. And, like most families, we’re sticking together right now, helping each other out during these tough times,” said BWS.
The liquor store has also reduced its opening hours of BWS stores in line with Woolworths supermarkets.
Dan Murphy’s also introduced product restrictions. Consumers can buy a maximum of 18 wine bottles; six bottles for spirits and three cases for beers, ciders and premixes.
“To ensure everyone can access the drinks they love we are placing temporary restrictions on the amount of products available for purchase per customer per day,” Dan Murphy’s said in a note on its website.
“These are subject to change at any time and we reserve the right to cancel items from your order if they are exceeding our limits or our ability to supply.”
Consumers have scrambled to bottle shops to get hold of alcohol since the government announced further restrictions.
Despite some confusion, liquor stores have been deemed essential and at present will remain open during the shutdown.
WA government imposes liquor limits
The government in WA has taken matters into its own hands by applying a restriction for purchasing alcohols during the coronavirus pandemic. Beer, cider or pre-mixed spirits is restricted to one carton; wine is restricted to three bottles, while spirits and fortified wine is limited to 1 litre.
Endeavour Drinks-owned stores in WA have implemented the new restrictions. An Endeavour Drinks spokesperson said customers must buy only what they need.
“We also ask our customers for patience at this time, as the mandated limits are based on litres rather than containers. Beer, premix drinks, cider and spirits come in many different sizes, which means our store teams will have to spend time calculating purchases to ensure purchases do not exceed the mandated limits,” the spokesperson said.
“We understand that these are uncertain times where there can be comfort found in being prepared. However, we would encourage our customers to continue to drink responsibly, and to please treat our team with courtesy and respect.”
