Woolworths, one of Australia's major supermarket chains, has been grappling with widespread stock shortages, leaving shelves stripped bare across various stores in the country. But what's behind this "apocalyptic" scene?

Warehouse Management System Upgrade Sparks Chaos

Recent reports revealed that Woolies faced significant disruptions in its supply chain, with low-to-no stock observed in key fresh produce ranges like milk, poultry, and fruit. 

The cause of this crisis was initially undisclosed, but it has now been confirmed that a warehouse management system upgrade led to the chaos, per The Guardian.

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Confirmation from Woolworths

Paul Harker, Woolworths' chief commercial officer, acknowledged the issue, labeling it as "carnage." 

"We've had a terrible IT problem. We're not particularly happy about the situation. We're working very hard to improve it. We apologize to our customers that we have had issues,"  Harker said.

Despite efforts to rectify the situation, including continuing to receive stock from suppliers, the supermarket giant apologized to customers for the inconvenience caused.

Customer Frustrations Regarding Woolies' Issue

While Woolworths aims to resume normal operations swiftly, customers have expressed frustration at the lack of available products in their local stores. 

Social media platforms buzzed with complaints about depleted shelves, with shoppers likening the situation to the scarcity experienced during the pandemic's onset.

Regional Impact and Comparisons to Past Crises

The shortage hasn't been limited to specific areas, with reports emerging from various regions across Queensland and Brisbane. Some shoppers noted similarities to the shortage of soft drinks in major supermarkets, attributed to a shortage of carbon dioxide, a key ingredient in carbonated beverages.

Insights into the Carbon Dioxide Shortage

Dr. Jess Allen, an electrochemical engineer, shed light on the carbon dioxide shortage, explaining its impact on beverage production. 

As reported by News.com.au, the unplanned outage at The Orica ammonia manufacturing plant in Newcastle disrupted CO2 production, exacerbating the shortage of food and drink products.

Efforts to Address the Supply Shortage

While the situation is improving, with one major supplier restoring full supply, challenges persist. British multinational BOC is set to enhance long-term carbon dioxide reliability, with a new production facility underway in Victoria. However, French group Air Liquide indicates ongoing source availability issues in Victoria, highlighting the complexity of the supply chain challenges.

Beyond Beverage Production

The carbon dioxide shortage not only affects soft drink production but also impacts other sectors like sparkling wine, beer, and meat packaging. Moreover, CO2 plays a vital role in hospital settings, emphasizing the multifaceted impact of supply chain disruptions.

In other news, a popular food giant from South Korea CJ CheilJedang Corp. confirmed that its Gimbap products will enter Woolworths soon.

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