Asda's new Just Essentials range is making waves once again as the retailer has rationed how much people can buy.
The range, a rebrand of the Smart Price products, launched earlier this year and hit the headlines when its bright yellow packaging was criticised by some shoppers, who said it stands out too much and acts as a 'poverty market' in people's baskets and trolleys.
Despite that, demand for the products has been huge and shoppers have complained about items being constantly out of stock both online and in stores.
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To counter that, supermarket bosses have now decided to restrict what people can buy from the range, to no more than three of each product.
The move has proved quite divisive, with some saying it's unfair, particularly for larger families who need to buy more, yet others welcoming the move saying it gives more people chance to try it.
One shopper told a budget Facebook group that she'd 'witnessed a stressed out woman having to go through all her shopping' after she was told about the limit at the till.
Her post was met with hundreds of replies, including one, which said: "Whilst this is a good idea to allow all to benefit from the essential range, what if you're a big family i.e. 6 children and you want noodles or soup for dinner for example or need 3/4 packs of ham or chicken? Ideal in some cases and not in others in my opinion."
Another agreed saying: " Lockdown was a nightmare trying to do my monthly shop, they don't consider bigger families or that you're shopping for the vulnerable as well. They should take this on board."
But others were pleased, including one mum, who said: "Good. Sick of everything being out of stock."
And another, who commented: "Good as I tried to shop online and basically 90 percent of the range was out of stock."
Asda says it's necessary to enforce the temporary limit to 'protect availability for the majority of customers'.
A spokesperson said: “Just Essentials is proving really popular at the moment and we’re working hard to get the out of stock products back on the shelves as quickly as we can.
"To make sure as many customers as possible can buy these products we are temporarily limiting purchases to a maximum of three of each product.
"This will be for a short period and we will let you know as soon these limits are removed. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.”
What do you think about Asda rationing how much people can buy from the range? Do you think it's the right move? Have you tried the range? Let us know in the comments here.
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