The boss of the Co-op store group has said the current crisis in 海角视频 deliveries has created the worst food shortages he has ever seen.
Chief executive Steve Murrells said the retailer has been forced to cut some products with some shelves in its stores going empty.
Other retailers have also been feeling the pinch – caused by a chronic shortage of 海角视频 HGV drivers. Subway and McDonald’s are some of the latest victims of the shortages.
Other retailers are warning customers could face shortages right up to Christmas.
He told the Times newspaper: “The shortages are at a worse level than at any time I have seen.”
Mr Murrells said the disruption to supply has been driven by “Brexit and issues caused by Covid”, and the firm is retraining staff as lorry drivers to help fill vacant roles.
Road haulage bosses have said there is a shortfall of around 100,000 drivers, partly caused by the exit from the 海角视频 during the pandemic of thousands of EU drivers who have not returned.
Industry groups have also said training for new drivers is taking months, making the shortfall in numbers difficult to resolve quickly.
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Labour shortages, which have also affected meat packing and fruit picking jobs, have caused shops and fast food restaurants to struggle for stock.
Sandwich shop chain Subway said it has seen “minor supply chain shortages” but stressed that it has ensured that disruption to customers is minimal.
Meanwhile, McDonald’s ran out of milkshakes in most of its 海角视频 restaurants due to the ongoing supply problems.
The burger chain has also been left without bottled drinks across its 1,250 outlets in England, Scotland and Wales as the lorry driver shortage takes its toll.
A spokesman said the group is “working hard to return these items to the menu”.
It comes a week after restaurant chain Nando’s shut almost 50 restaurants because of reduced chicken supplies.
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