Shoppers Drug Mart accused of raising prices on toilet paper as coronavirus panic spreads

With the recent uptick of coronavirus cases, Shoppers Drug Mart has been seeing more customers “panic shopping” in their stores as well as in other retail stores. Many offices have told their employees to work from home.

Products like toilet paper are starting to be in short supply at supermarkets in the country.

The chain, which is owned by Loblaw Companies Ltd. is receiving many online complaints about raised prices on things like hand sanitizer, disinfectants and mainly toilet paper.

ROYALE toilet paper is currently priced at $14.99 which comes out to about $1.25 per roll.

Walmart has the same item priced at $6.97.

"No. Sorry. I didn't buy," said one customer when responding to a tweet by the corporation. "I went next door to another store and paid $5."

When responding to a widely criticized photo of hand sanitizer priced at $8.99, the company responded on Twitter.

“This product is not a centrally listed item but was brought in by the store to meet demand,” said Shoppers Drug Mart

“Looking at the cost of the product, the pricing is still aligned with our price structure. We understand the concern and are committed to providing the same value-for-money as we always do.”

Some customers have reportedly left the store without making any purchases and instead, decided to boycott the company.

Shoppers Drug Mart has denied the allegation, issuing a tweet stating "Shoppers Drug Mart has not changed our pricing practices on key essentials, including toilet paper or hand sanitizer ... Recent posts show our regular retail price for certain products, not an artificially inflated one. In this time of concern, it is important to share accurate information. After hearing our customers’ concerns, we have moved up the start of our planned sale on toilet paper."