Shoppers’ fury over Co-op’s empty shelves as supermarket blames delivery issues on IT failure
Customers have been left baffled why shelves are bare at stores across the south east
THE CO-OP has apologised to customers after an "IT issue" at one of its depots disrupted deliveries to shops across the south east of England.
Shoppers have been greeted with empty shelves at stores and signs apologising for the lack of new deliveries this week.
Customers have been quick to ask on social media what is going on, with the supermarket blaming computer problems at a depot in Thurrock causing deliveries to shops in the south east to be disrupted.
One Twitter user wrote: "What's going on with the Co-op at Sussex University, the shelves have been bare for nearly a week!"
Another shopper said: "Why is the Co-op having a bit of a life crisis at the moment? How is it so empty?"
One shopper asked the supermarket when they could expect a new delivery: "Any news on delivery of stock? Local Co-op has notice on all door advising no deliveries today - now it's not empty shelves but empty aisles!"
A spokesman for the Co-op said: "We are very sorry that this has delayed a number of deliveries from our depot, which is now fully operational, and we’re working hard to get products into stores as quickly as possible."
He added that although the IT issue had now been solved and deliveries were getting back to normal, it might take a day or two before some stores' shelves are fully stocked again.
The spokesman wouldn't confirm to the Sun Online how many stores had been impacted.
The problems with delivery comes weeks after Co-op announced a new trail which could see the end of the checkout.
Customers at one of its shops in Manchester can use an app to scan products - and when they've finished, the money they've spent is deducted from their account.
If the trail proves a hit, it could be rolled out across the country this summer.
It's not the first time a major retailer has had problems with deliveries this year.
More on money
Last month, fast food giant KFC ran out of CHICKEN forcing the closure of 700 stores.
The great chicken shortage began when its new delivery firm DHL took over from Bidvest in February.
And because of the problems, KFC is actually switching back to Bidvest to deliver to 300 of its restaurants in the north from March 26.
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