Petition · past parliament

Compel retailers to limit sales of essential items during times of crisis

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

During times of crisis, like the spread of COVID 19, ‘panic buying’ causes widespread alarm & difficulties for the old, young & less mobile. Retailers should be legally compelled to limit shoppers from buying unreasonable multiples of essential items, such as hygiene items, formula milk & medicines.
Limiting the amount of essential items being sold per customer will prevent babies, the old & the disabled from struggling to get essential items. It would mean that everyone would be aware that this behaviour is unacceptable & leads to widespread concern & a ‘snowball’ effect where everyone behaves selfishly. Babies should not be going without milk, the elderly should not have to walk to multiple shops to find what they need. Stockpiling is antisocial and should be made more difficult.

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

Timeline

14 Mar 2020 Petition opened for signatures
19 Mar 2020 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21
Status Rejected
Rejected 19 Mar 2020

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.