ACS

Amidst national fears of panic buying, stock shortages and empty shelves, the Association of Convenience Stores has appeared on several national and local media outlets to quell the rumors that local shops are suffering in the snow.

On the BBC News channel, ACS Chief Executive James Lowman spoke about the increased need for local shops in uncertain travel conditions: "A lot of people are stocking up on essentials in their local shop on a daily basis at the moment, and it's important to remember that in conditions like these - convenience stores are much more than just a convenience, they're an integral part of the communities that they serve."

Speaking on the increased need for essentials in the Daily Express this morning, ACS Public Affairs Director Shane Brennan said: "Bread, milk and eggs are the staples people have been buying much more than they usually do and people are choosing to go to their local shops more. There is pressure on keeping up with the demand.”

Consumers worried about a sweep of empty shelves across all stores should be aware that there are inevitably going to be problems with stock across the board. However, in the convenience sector – things are generally working well across the network, deliveries are getting through and the Cash and Carry’s still have adequate stock for retailers to collect.

Where stock is low in shops, it is not necessarily due to a lack of deliveries. Products like milk and fresh fruit and vegetables are being bought in bulk by consumers who are concerned that they may not be able to travel for several days.