The UK Government and the Competition Authority adopt two recent measures against shortages and high prices during the COVID-19 outbreak

The rapid spread of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom and the measures being implemented to counter the disease have resulted in an unprecedented surge of consumer demand for groceries and other essential supplies. Safeguarding consumers against shortages and high prices is at the heart of two recent measures adopted by the UK government and the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). As in many other parts of the world, the surge in demand in the UK started with hand sanitiser and toilet tissue but quickly spread to a variety of basic supplies. While the main supermarket chains active in the UK maintain that they have adequate stocks, the significant increased demand has resulted in high pressure on supply