Name/TitleEmpty supermarket shelves due to supply chain issues

About this objectAlthough panic buying was the cause of many product shortages, particularly early in the COVID-19 pandemic, at other times shortages occurred due to supply chain issues.

In September 2021, many businesses were struggling with staff shortages due to the high number of places, including work sites, being declared exposure sites. From February 2021, the Department of Health had been classifying exposure sites in different tiers, according to the risk of transmission to anyone else at each venue. Anyone at a tier 1 site had to get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from the exposure. Those at tier 2 sites had to get tested immediately and quarantine until receiving a negative result.

Supermarkets found their operations severely hit when they were classified as tier 1 or 2 sites. It put a huge strain on a supermarket’s already stretched workforce and led to numerous stores reducing their trading hours or even closing entirely. The other impact was on supply chains, including deliveries. At times products were unavailable in stores.

The photo shows empty shelves in the bread area of Woolworths, Hampton. The accompanying sign explains they were experiencing delays with stock deliveries. At the time Melbourne was experiencing its sixth lockdown.

MakerChoat, Liz

Maker RolePhotographer

Date Made2021 Sep. 21

Measurementsdigital image : JPEG file : 3013 KB

Object TypePhotograph

Subject and Association KeywordsCOVID-19 pandemic

Subject and Association KeywordsWoolworths

Subject and Association Keywordssupermarkets

Subject and Association Keywordsproduct shortages (COVID-19)

Subject and Association KeywordsHampton (Vic.)

Subject and Association Keywordsshops (COVID-19)

Object numberPD3206

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved