Amazon is warning its customers that they could face delays to their orders being delivered as items become out of stock as the coronavirus outbreak spreads.
The online retailer said there has been a large increase in people shopping online which is in turn having a short-term impact on customer deliveries.
‘We believe our role serving customers and the community during this time is a critical one, and we want to make sure people can get the items they need, when they need them. As COVID-19 has spread, we’ve recently seen an increase in people shopping online. In the short term, this is having an impact on how we serve our customers,’ the company wrote in a blog post online.
‘In particular, you will notice that we are currently out of stock on some popular brands and items, especially in household staples categories. You will also notice that some of our delivery promises are longer than usual. We are working around the clock with our selling partners to ensure availability on all of our products, and bring on additional capacity to deliver all of your orders.’
An Amazon shopper buys items for people shopping online as the Whole Foods Market supermarket shelves start to empty as people panic buy groceries in New York
Empty shelves at Whole Foods Market at Union Square on Friday saw panicked New Yorkers rushing to stock up on essentials
Warnings were displayed on a number of product which appeared to be totally out of stock
When products were not out of stock they were selling for ridiculous prices – here for $130
A warning is currently at the top of Amazon’s website noting: ‘inventory and delivery may be temporarily unavailable due to increased demand. Confirm availability at checkout.’
Items such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer and hand soap were listed as out of stock on the website Sunday.
Amazon’s normally speedy one-day and two-day delivery options also showed delays of several days.
The issue marks a rare disruption to Amazon’s signature two-day and one-day Prime delivery service.
A driver wears a protective mask while traveling in an Amazon.com Inc. delivery truck in New Rochelle, New York
Empty shelves are pictured at the Whole foods located in Hoboken, New Jersey
The company has more than 150 million paid Prime members around the world.
Donald Trump insisted Sunday that people stop panic buying and hoarding food and goods as the coronavirus death toll in the U.S. hit 63 and cases neared 3,500.
‘We’re going to be so good,’ Trump claimed in a press conference at the White House Sunday evening, adding, ‘Relax, we’re doing great. It all will pass.’
‘You don’t have to buy so much. Take it easy. Just relax,’ Trump said, adding that President and CEO of Walmart Doug McMillon said during a conversation earlier in the day that people were buying more than they do at Christmas.
Trump said he spoke with the top industry leaders of various retailers and food stores about coronavirus as shelves in many stores have gone empty as Americans panic buy essentials like toilet paper and bottled water.
Vice President Mike Pence, who is leading the coronavirus task force, also assured Americans during the briefing Sunday that stores would remain open indefinitely.
‘As the president said, he received a commitment from those grocery executives that stores will stay open throughout the days that lie ahead,’ he said, adding that hours might be changed or reduced so they could do additional cleanings and resupplies.
‘American families can be confident, your local grocery stores will be open, it’s going to be well supplied. And they specifically asked us to encourage Americans just buy your weekly needs in grocery. Because the grocery stores will remain open,’ he reassured.
Donald Trump told American consumers to stop buying and hoarding necessities as fears of the coronavirus outbreak rocks the nation
‘You don’t have to buy so much. Take it easy. Just relax,’ he said during a briefing at the White House Sunday evening on the developing coronavirus crisis
Amazon says many household items are out of stock due to increased demand as the coronavirus spreads across the U.S.
Trump also urged Americans not to raid stores and hoard supplies during this time.
‘There’s no need for anybody in the country to hoard essential food supplies,’ he insisted.
‘They said to me, ‘Could you please tell them, just go and buy, enjoy it, have a nice dinner, relax, because there’s plenty,’ he said of top industry leaders.
‘But you don’t have to buy the quantities because it’s hard to refill the stores on a basis as rapid as they’re refilling them,’ he continued.
‘They’re going to work 24 hours round the clock keeping their stores stocked. I would like to say people shouldn’t go out and buy – we’re going to all be great.
‘They’ve actually asked me to say, ‘Could you buy a little bit less, please?’ I thought I’d never hear that from a retailer,’ Trump quipped, lightening the mood in the press briefing room.
The president said the federal, state and local governments are all working with these retail leaders, including Walmart, Costco, Target, Whole Foods, Publix and several more, to ensure there are no shortages of goods and food.
‘We have no shortages other than people are buying anywhere from 3-5 times what they would normally buy. It’s going to be there for a long time,’ he assured. ‘There’s a pent up demand, that’s incredible.’
