Shoppers report fresh supply issues with empty supermarket shelves around UK

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Shoppers are reporting supply problems that have led to empty supermarket shelves around the UK for the second time in six months. A Sainsbury’s spokeswoman said availability of goods was strong so any reduction in stock was isolated and for a brief time, adding: “All stores continue to receive daily deliveries. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, which represents retailers, said: “Our members continue to work round the clock to ensure that shelves remain stocked, and consumers can purchase the products they need. “Labour shortages, including HGV drivers and other critical roles, continue to challenge retailers, and while staff absences due to self-isolation are currently manageable, further rises in absence rates would be increasingly unsustainable.” Asked how much of the pressure was down to labour shortages and how much down to lorries not arriving because they are delayed at French ports, a consortium spokeswoman said they did not know, adding: “We do not actually have an indication of many empty shelves, so we believe these to be isolated incidents.”