Sainsbury warns of shortages due to COVID-19 and recruitment issues | J Sainsbury

Sainsbury’s warned that due to the shortage of truck drivers and the increase in the number of employees forced to self-isolate due to covid-19, the supply of some products such as salads, beer and soft drinks will be insufficient, so there will be gaps on the shelves.

The supply of some non-food items has also been hit by global supply chain challenges caused by shortages of computer chips due to shortages of containers, factory disruptions, and surge in demand for electronic equipment.

Simon Roberts, CEO of Sainsbury, stated that the demand for soft drinks, beer and barbecued food has been stronger than expected in recent weeks, as families continue to eat more at home and friends gather in front of the TV to watch Euro 2020 Football championship.

“As customers spend more time together at large events, we see demand and respond accordingly,” he said.

The second largest supermarket group in the UK said that beer sales have soared 60% from normal levels since the start of the game. On Saturday, Sainsbury sold 17 packs of beer every second, because England fans accounted for a quarter Prepare for the final match against Ukraine.

Roberts said there were problems with products such as salad buns, certain brands of beer and soft drinks. Due to a shortage of drivers, the company “didn’t let all products pass.” But he said that Sainsbury’s is trying to bring in a range of different products so that “we have sources where customers want to buy.”

In the latest news of the transaction, Sainsbury’s stated that it now expects an annual profit of 660 million pounds, which is 40 million pounds higher than its previous forecast, because in the four months ended June 26, sales in established stores excluding fuel The amount increased by 1.6% year-on-year.

Although the United States was hoarding food at the beginning of the pandemic a year ago, the growth in grocery sales was up 0.8% year-on-year compared to the very strong period a year ago. Sales increased by 11.3% over two years ago.

As many households who switched to home ordering during the pandemic continued to do so, online grocery sales increased by 29%. Sainsbury’s stated that it gained market share from its main competitors because it lowered the prices of key commodities and promised to match the prices of discounters Aldi in some ways.

Due to the return of socialization and work, and the warm weather, the demand for new clothing has caused clothing sales to soar by nearly 58%.

Russ Mould, Investment Director of AJ Bell, said: “Compared with a year ago, Sainsbury has faced extremely difficult actions in the past three months when many people were Panic buying is in the early stages of the pandemic.”

“This makes the company’s successful growth during this period even more impressive and confirms the attractiveness of the UK grocery sector, which was reflected in the recent multi-billion pound acquisition of Morrison.”

The group’s Argos chain store sales fell by 3.7%, due to the decline in demand for consumer electronics and fitness equipment compared to a year ago, when families were adapting to lockdown life.

Despite the increase in profits, Sainsbury’s stock price rose by less than 1%.The chain has performed strongly in recent days because it is hoped that it can become the next private equity-led takeover offer after £6.8 billion Acquisition of Asda And £6.3 billion Agreed offer to Morrison In the weekend.

Roberts stated that Sainsbury’s management team is “absolutely committed to driving the value we see in the business” and that the group has no firm offer.

“If we have something to update, we will update it in time,” he said when asked if Sainsbury’s is negotiating with potential suitors.