Confusion over elderly shopping hours at Asda in Wolverhampton

The Express & Star saw streams of non-elderly shoppers flock to firm’s store next to Molineux, Wolverhampton, early yesterday morning. It came after a new time slot, between 6am and 9am, was introduced this week just for elderly people and those classed as vulnerable.

The moved followed continued panic-buying, which has been happening nationwide in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak – and it appeared many people ignored the dedicated time slot at Asda.

A staff member from the store’s management team said yesterday: “Customers are supposed to honour those times but they haven’t.

"Since 6am, there was a queue right around the corner [going outside the building].”

The staff member added it was difficult to “police” who came into the store and referenced the “siege mentality” that had been taking place.

At about 8am yesterday, the store was a lot busier usual. But - in the wake of images circulating online of shelves being stripped bare of groceries and toiletries - the Asda store was well stocked.

There was plenty of bread and most other items. There was even a few toilet rolls left, although that number was quickly dwindling.

But a woman, who wished not to be named, told the Express & Star: “It was manic earlier this morning. They were letting everybody in but we got what we wanted.”

Customers have also claimed that Asda has failed to clearly advertise its dedicated time slots.

Among those shopping in the aisles yesterday were couple Jamie and Doris Pearce, aged 82 and 80, from Bushbury.

Despite the recent panic-buying they were able to buy the necessities they needed, including toilet roll.

Mr Pearce said: “Where is the signs [letting people know about the elderly]? They should make a space for the elderly and vulnerable people.”

Mrs Pearce added: “We only knew [about the time slot] because my sister phoned us up.”

She also criticised the time slot for being too early, adding: “How are the elderly meant to get here for 8am but you can’t get on a bus until 9.30am? They will have to pay to get here.

“We are lucky, we have got a car. By the time they get here, toilet roll will be gone, the bread will be bare.” It is understood the Asda store has put on a certain number of tills just for the elderly.

Asda brought the time slots in on Thursday, which are aimed at the elderly and vulnerable groups. Among those in this bracket includes: people aged over 70; people who are pregnant; and people aged under 70 with certain underlying health conditions, such as long-term respiratory diseases, chronic heart disease and chronic kidney disease. A full list of these can be found on the Government’s website.

In response to the Express & Star’s story, an ASDA spokesman said: “We are asking those customers who know they aren’t in these group categories to not shop at this time and let these vulnerable groups have access and to shop responsibly. There are enough essential items to go around.” The store added it was working hard on a number of ways to help support colleagues and the community through Covid-19 but had no way of enforcing elderly hour.

Asda CEO Roger Burnley, in a blog post online, said: “We’re working around the clock to make sure we’re doing everything we can to keep products available – and in some cases, such as with hand sanitizer, cleaning products and baby formula – we have implemented a limit on the number of items that can be purchased.”

MP calls for calm over panic-buying

Wolverhampton South West MP Stuart Anderson, a former soldier, called on shoppers for calm in the wake of panic-buying.

He said: “As a supermarket, Asda needs to advertise clearly that this time in the morning must be for more elderly and vulnerable people. It needs to be controlled otherwise people see longer opening hours and shelves being cleared. I would urge people not to panic, be considerate, and buy what you need – not stockpile.”

“There are people who we are dealing with that can’t get the basics.”

He added: “There is enough goods for people if they don’t stockpile or panic-buy. There is no problem getting the goods but people are buying more than need out of fear that they need to stockpile.”