NJ grocers limit sales of cleaning products, non-perishable foods

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ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Wegmans and Super Foodtown are all limiting sales of popular household products and non-perishables amid community-wide COVID-19 concerns.

Supermarkets in New Jersey are trying to accommodate increased sales on items like hand sanitizers, antibacterial soap, rice and canned soups, establishing per customer purchasing limits.

“Customers are stocking up on paper products, cleaning supplies and a variety of shelf-stable food items. As demand for these items continues to grow and supply remains limited, we’re working with our current suppliers and pursuing additional sources to replenish our supply. We’re also seeing an increase in our e-commerce business and expect that demand will continue to grow,” Wegmans’ website reads.

At Wegmans, the following limits are in place:

• Limit of 4 each per order: 1 gallon Wegmans purified, distilled and spring water
• Limit of 3 each per order: Hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, alcohol wipes and prep pads, hydrogen peroxide
• Limit of 2 each per order: All Wegmans disinfecting wipes, 75 count; all Clorox disinfecting wipes; all Lysol disinfecting wipes; Wegmans towelettes, 40 count; Wegmans water, 35 and 24 packs
• Limit of 1 each per order: Wegmans bath tissue, family pack; Wegmans soft bath tissue, family pack

Stop & Shop customers can purchase five items each of high-demand products like hand sanitizer and Lysol wipes. In store signage indicates which products are impacted, according to a prepared statement by Stop & Shop External Communications Manager Stefanie Shuman.

In an email to customers, ShopRite said its stores were beginning to experience supply shortages, and as a result were placing purchase limits of four on items such as disinfectant cleaners and wipes, bar and liquid soaps, water, and cough/cold over the counter medicines.

“We’re working with our suppliers to keep these items on the shelf for you and we appreciate your cooperation in limiting your purchases to four so that everyone can get the products they need,” the email read.

Lou Scaduto Jr., president and chief executive officer of Food Circus Super Markets Inc. which operates as Super Foodtown, told NJBIZ via email that water is limited and on allocation at his supermarkets in Monmouth County.

“We are trying to limit all time sensitive items as well however, somewhat difficult to control. The demand is clearly outpacing the supply,” Scaduto said.

Any type of disinfectant or cleaning supplies, hand sanitizers, paper products, and canned prepared foods are affected.

“As soon as it comes in, it goes out,” he said. “We just keep bringing in as much as we can, and like I said, depending if we get shorted….what comes in goes out.”