M&S could cut opening hours as staff 'pinging' on Covid app means shelves could go empty

Marks and Spencer could reduce opening hours as supermarket bosses warn a "pingdemic crisis" could leave shelves empty., it has been reported.

Retailers have warned of a "massive disruption" to food supplies just hours before the PM is set to ease most of the pandemic restrictions.

Steve Rowe, chief executive of M&S told The Times soon there won't be enough staff to open stores because of spiralling infections and the number of people self-isolating.

"Our Covid cases are roughly doubling every week and the pinging level is about three to one of Covid cases, so we’re seeing that growing exponentially," he said.

He also warned the staff shortage might mean that stores will have to reduce opening hours.

M&S could face issues with staffing over the 'pingdemic' where staff are asked to self-isolate (Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)

“If there’s shortages we’ll have to manage it by changing hours of stores, reducing hours," Mr Rowe reportedly said.

The retail industry he warned will be affected in the supply chain because logistics are tightly run to be efficent

This "pain in the supply chain" could mean empty shelves for Brits.

The pingdemic' resulted in 1.8 million Brits being told to self isolate last week.

This could mean six million being advised to stay at home by next week.

The high-street store could face reduced hours if staff are asked to self-isolate (Perthshire Advertiser)

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Late deliveries, due to a shortage of drivers, has also led to an increase in food waste.

The Times said a senior source at a large supermarket chain has warned Britain faces a “massive disruption in food supplies”

They reportedly said: “There’s a risk that there won’t be sufficient staff to open shops."

The government is being urged to act fast to get people back to work if they have a negative test or their could soon be a "crisis point".

Thousands of meat factory staff have been forced off work after being alerted by the NHS Test and Trace app.

One in ten at meat factories is now off work. Nick Allen, of the British Meat Processors Association.

He told The Sun : “People are going to find choice limited as the BBQ season unfolds.

Some ports have up to a tenth of staff off. Mr Allen says large food stores rely on daily deliveries and the supply chain could face disruption over the next fortnight

Issues with suppliers could have knock-on effect as people are asked to isolate (Marks and Spencer)

The pingdemic has also hit bin collections, trains, car factories, pubs, restaurants, hotels and shops.

It has led to new calls for the Government to ease isolation rules before August 16.

But unions have warned up to a fifth of workers in some firms are self-isolating.

Stephen Phipson, of manufacturing organisation Make UK, said: “This problem has escalated significantly over the last week.”

The CBI’s Lord Bilimoria said the rules were devastating the economy and called for daily tests instead.

But Downing Street warned changes are unlikely for months.

The PM’s spokesman advised everyone to isolate if pinged and said things would be kept under review adding that the NHS app is working.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said NHS staff will be exempt to prevent hospitals from grinding to a halt.