Supermarkets in the UK have come under fire for using cardboard cutouts to fill empty spaces in shelves, stated recent reports, as supply chain crisis is disrupting the availability of various products along with the ongoing shrinkflation, leaving enough empty spaces on the shelves.
Britons out shopping last week were taken by surprise when they found pictures of asparagus, carrots, oranges and grapes in its fresh produce aisles in Tesco, prompting criticism on social media.
While Twitter users spotted fake carrots in Fakenham, cardboard asparagus in London, pictures of oranges and grapes were seen in Milton Keynes, The Guardian stated in a report. 2D print cutouts of washing liquid bottles were spotted by another Twitter user in Cambridge.
https://twitter.com/GoatSarah/status/1450796854887821312
Sainsbury’s has also used outline drawings of packaging to fill shelves.
A Sainsbury's spokesman said: "Our colleagues and suppliers are working hard to make sure customers can find everything they need when they shop with us.
"Availability in some product categories may vary but alternatives are available, and stores continue to receive deliveries daily."
Tesco has said the fruit and vegetable pictures were not linked to the recent supply chain issues and had been in use for many months, reports said.
Meanwhile, the UK continues to face supply chain issues amid staff shortages and post-Brexit issues. Currently, hauliers from the EU reportedly can only make up to two trips to drop off or pick up goods between locations in the UK within one week.
Fears over shortages ahead of the festive season have grown in recent weeks. UK haulage industry bosses on Tuesday (26) warned prime minister Boris Johnson to “act now to prevent a Christmas crisis”.
More than 1,600 haulage sector bosses, led by the Road Haulage Association (RHA), warned Johnson that without decisive action there is a “risk of further damage to not only our businesses and livelihoods, but the UK’s integrated and finely balanced supply chains”.
