British shoppers are being left with fewer choices as shortages caused by both Covid and Brexit affect stock to the worst levels a supermarket boss has ever seen.
After chicken shortages in Nando’s and the McDonald’s milkshake drought Steve Murrells, chief executive of the Co-operative Group, said the supermarket was reducing some ranges as food supply is hit by post-Brexit migration rules.
“The shortages are at a worse level than at any time I have seen,” he told The Times.
Murrells, 56, said the shortages was the result of “Brexit and issues caused by Covid”. He added the high street store was retraining staff as lorry drivers because of an estimated 100,000 shortfall across the industry.
It comes as a perfect storm of a surge in holidaymakers, staff shortages and problems with suppliers strikes the tourism industry.
Hoteliers and bar owners said staff were ill with coronavirus, others isolating after being “pinged” and there was a recruitment crisis due to Brexit and too little housing.
It meant some hotels were being forced to close rooms – while restaurants, cafes and bars were operating reduced opening hours and limiting menus.
