Countdown to lockdown: Toilet paper shelves empty as lockdown looms
Toilet paper has been flying off the shelves in some Brisbane supermarkets today, as parts of Queensland head into lockdown.
But retail expert at QUT, Professor Gary Mortimer, said it wasn’t as dramatic as scenes from previous lockdowns, when customers raced to supermarkets in a panic-buying frenzy.
“It was relatively relaxed, but yes the toilet paper aisle again was completely empty,” he told Bill McDonald, filling in on 4BC Drive.
“I think generally people are generally calm and collected this time, despite the fact there was a few lines around, there was a lift in demand around 11.30am/just after midday after the announcement was made, by the time I got down there, things had settled down, but unfortunately there was no toilet paper left.”
I love consumer psychology behind #toiletpaper and #panicbuying. @NewsTalk4BC #covid19qld #Queensland #qldhealth #LockDown pic.twitter.com/PyYyu5Nc2q
— Professor Gary Mortimer 🛒🛒🛒 (@ProfRetail) June 29, 2021
He said there was “less stress, less panic, less uncertainty this time” in the shopping centre.
Press PLAY below to hear his thoughts on a ‘herd response’ in retail