Supermarket sign for priority opening hours

Dark green Waitrose sign with light green and white text titled 'We're currently open only for the elderly and the vulnerable. In these difficult times, we need to make sure that our elderly and vulnerable customers, and those that support them, can buy what they need safely – so we’re dedicating this first opening hour to them. Please respect this, and help us help them.’, from Waitrose & Partners, Finchley and of the type used in Waitrose shops during the first COVID-19 lockdown in 2020

Many supermarkets introduced opening hours for priority customers including NHS workers to ensure they got the supplies they needed. With increased demand and reduced supplies, supermarket shopping could be a stressful experience. Even with priority opening, stores were incredibly busy.

All supermarkets in the United Kingdom rely in a just-in-time model to stock their shelves. Every day deliveries are made depending on each store's individual needs. However with the impact of COVID-19, those that could afford to were buying more, sometimes stockpiling goods in case supplies ran short. The unexpected higher demand meant goods could not be transported quick enough or shelves stacked quick enough, especially at a time with staff absences due to illness.