An East Kilbride shop owner has be warned to stop capitalising on the COVID-19 pandemic after being blasted by angry shoppers.
The morals of the Home Essential's store boss were brought into question after he was shamed on social media for selling miniature bottles of hand sanitiser for a TENNER.
The News understand the Princes Mall store owner had been decanting the gold dust hygiene product into unmarked bottles from a larger bottle - and charging customers three times the cost.
A queue of shoppers, many elderly, reportedly formed when a sign was erected on the shop window notifying customers that there was a 'limited stock' of face masks and hand sanitiser available.
This comes amid a widespread supply shortage due to coronavirus-linked stockpiling.
Locals were quick to slam the businessman for "preying" on panic buyers, leading to online calls to boycott the store.
One posted: "Don't buy it. It's not sanitary to open sanitiser then sell it on, not to mention immoral."
Another wrote: "Rats doing this while other shopkeepers are making up wee packs to give free to elderly and infirm. Boycott his shop."
And another said: "He's a scumbag doing that, no need for it at all. Just pure greed and selfishness."
EK, East Kilbride management today reassured locals that the owner has been told to stop selling the item.
A spokesman said: "We have been made aware that one of the stores in EK had been selling hand sanitiser gel decanted into unmarked bottles.
"We would like to assure customers that we have spoken to the owner who has now agreed to remove the sign and stop selling these items with immediate effect.
"EK continues to monitor the developments regarding COVID-19 and will follow all NHS and government guidelines around the situation.
"For more information on coronavirus and how to protect yourself and others, please visit the NHS Inform website. "
The News was unable to make contact with the store for comment.
