Team Herald
PANJIM: It was mayhem and mad rush in several stores in Goa. It was almost to the tune of “loot”. Average billing in some cases went up as high as Rs 8-10,000 per person giving a clear signal that the panic buying took place on Tuesday morning. Supply chain too is breaking as the suppliers are not reporting on duty due to fear of COVID-19.
Magsons at Taleigao also faced this rush of customers. “We later gave one person, one basket for purchase of essential items after it was noticed that there were customers buying at least 7-8 basketfull. With the crowd rushing in, the staff of the stores are also under threat of exposure to COVID-19. What is depressing at this time is how many of us are so prone to panic and mindless of any other social instincts of safety to oneself and others. I once again appeal to the people to stay calm and practice utmost safety and hygiene to avoid any spread of the infection,” said Kirit Maganlal, partner, Magsons, who faced the mad rush on Tuesday morning.
At Delfinos, Porvorim; rationing of customers was done and few persons were allowed in, while others waited outside the store social distancing themselves from others.
“We were able to manage this efficiently even though people panicked. We were only allowing fresh batch after one batch leaves. The average buying has soared up and it is clearly evident that there is panic buying. Groceries section is the most visited area in the store,” said Anil Pereira, partner, Delfinos.
Vinay Borkar, partner in Borkars Mega Store in Margao said, “There is panic buying as people are taking half-a-dozen bags instead of normal one or two. The average billing per person has doubled. Whatever is there in our store is finishing. Supply is a major worry as suppliers are not coming to store to replenish. I hope government allows it but the problem is that even the lorry drivers of suppliers are not willing to work.”
Similar scene was witnessed in Kini Supermarket at Caranzalem. “People are panicking because the Janta Curfew was extended till March 25 without prior notice. The notion is that the entire country will be under lockdown till March 31. The problem is that supply too has stopped and whatever is there on the racks people are just picking up. The billing is much above normal. A person usually buys within Rs 1,000 but the bill of the same person is touching Rs 10,000. This is simple panic buying,” said Sandhya Kini Mayenkar, proprietor of Kini Supermarket.
Chetan Kapdi, General Secretary of All Goa FMCG and Telecom Distributors Association, a body which has over 450 members in Goa and is engaged primarily of supply of goods said, “We have sent a message to our members to stay safe. Many are not willing to take the risk. We are waiting for government to come out with clarity with a green signal to start and what precaution needs to be taken. One also needs to be physically checked on the health of each and every supplier before they are out in the market. We are fully ready to serve the State.”
