The coronavirus panic that gripped supermarkets around the world seems to be edging into Ireland.
Pictures have been popping up all over social media inside Tesco and Aldi stores with entire shelves emptied of essentials.
A Tesco in Naas on Tuesday night had very little toilet paper left after panicked shoppers stocked up on the loo roll.
University Hospital Waterford had its first case of the virus confirmed on Tuesday and hours later the nearest Tesco had been almost completely emptied of its toilet roll.
Similarly an Aldi in Blessington, Co Kildare was getting low on the rolls as shoppers headed in there on Tuesday.
Panic-buying seems to have gripped the nation with Irish shoppers also splashing out more on store cupboard staples.
Karen Mooney, Ireland market leader at Nielsen, said: “As more cases of COVID-19 emerge, Irish consumers are now thinking about the immediate need to ‘stock up’ in anticipation of potential restrictions around travel to work, school or social engagements.
"As well as the rapidly reducing stock of hand sanitizer and other hygiene products, Irish shoppers are stocking up on essentials like toilet paper and cupboard staples like pasta and tinned foods, and we expect this to increase over the coming weeks.
“Reusable shopping bags have also increased (up 26%) in the last four weeks, as Irish shoppers are presumably filling up their shopping baskets more than anticipated.
"At present, retailers are working closely with supply chains in the Irish industry and are well-placed to respond, however increased demand for certain products should be taken into consideration as the concerns over COVID-19 escalate.”
