Russian stores created a stock of goods in advance and therefore will not close due to the spread of coronavirus infection CODIV-19. This was stated in the press service of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.

“Firstly, nobody plans to close food stores of any format. Secondly, our retail chains began to create inventory in advance, increasing orders from suppliers, ”the TASS message quotes.

The ministry also explained that if the store has an empty shelf, this is explained not by the lack of goods, but by the fact that they have not yet had time to put the products on it.

“The goods are laid out on a shelf rhythmically, in accordance with a certain cycle - goods at different stages can be in the utility rooms, on the road, in the car, at the distribution center of the distribution network. To fill the shelf again, it always takes about the same time, ”the Ministry of Industry and Trade emphasized.

The agency takes into account the situation in foreign countries, in the light of which the situation in the consumer market is analyzed both with the local authorities and with the retail chains themselves. At the same time, it is important to understand that goods purchased for future use have an expiration date, and therefore you should carefully consider the shopping process, the ministry emphasized.

The authorities in the Moscow region reported an increase in demand for goods. At the same time, the Ministry of Agriculture of the region assured that there is no shortage and never will be.

“Residents of the Moscow region are preoccupied with information about the rush demand in recent days. Indeed, there is demand, but there is no shortage. And will not be. Outlets can be visited calmly and regularly, ”the Moscow agency quotes the message.

It also became known that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has turned to retail chains with a request to provide information on stocks of socially significant goods. This was reported in the Association of Retail Companies (ACORT).

“Indeed, the Ministry of Industry and Trade asked to collect and submit by March 16 data on inventories of socially significant goods,” TASS quoted representative of the association Ilya Vlasenko.

In some networks, the agency confirmed the presence of increased demand for certain products, including pasta, cereals, groceries, hygiene products and detergents.

Socially significant products include beef, pork, lamb (all except boneless meat), chicken (except ham), frozen whole fish, sunflower and butter, milk, chicken eggs, sugar, salt, black tea, flour, bread, vermicelli, rice, millet, buckwheat, potatoes, cabbage, onions, carrots and apples.

World situation

Earlier in Europe and the United States, where COVID-19 coronavirus infections were rapidly growing, shoppers were more likely to find some products missing. In particular, we are talking about disinfectants, cereals, pasta and toilet paper.

According to the American portal Supermarket News, people are trying to create "pandemic pantries" from food, medical supplies and other goods that can be useful in case of interruptions in supplies or the need to stay at home for a long time.

At the same time, according to a study by Digital Commerce, most of the retailers' problems due to COVID-19 are related to the supply chains of goods - about 48% of them work in this direction. 44% expect delays, while 40% fear running out of stock.

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In total, about 3 thousand cases of COVID-19 infection were recorded in the United States, of which over 770 over the last day alone. The largest number of cases outside of China is in Italy, where over the day their number increased by 2.8 thousand and amounted to 24.7 thousand.

As part of the fight against the spread of the virus in the country, all the bars, restaurants, cafes and shops were previously closed, excluding grocery stores and pharmacies. At the same time, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte assured that there would be no shortage of food in the country.

Meanwhile, in Australia, where there are about 250 cases of infection, an excessive demand for goods is recorded in stores. In this regard, one of the largest retailers in the country, Coles imposed a restriction on the sale of certain items.

“From Saturday, March 14, 2020, we will limit the purchase of certain goods to two units (packs) per person ... We will also temporarily reduce the possibility of returning previously purchased goods and products,” Coles said in a statement.

Among the items included in this list are hand sanitizers, towels and napkins, pasta, flour and rice.