In a call between grocery bosses and environment secretary George Eustice earlier this week, options to ramp up the number of online deliveries available to ensure orders by vulnerable shoppers were fulfilled promptly was discussed.

Alongside gaining access to government data to help prioritise food deliveries to people told to stay home under the government’s coronavirus guidelines, supermarket bosses also discussed ways to extend their delivery networks such as collaborating with local taxi companies and takeaway delivery firms.

Online delivery slots for grocery orders from major UK grocers are booked up for weeks at a time amid intense pressure from shoppers, who have been advised by the government not to leave their homes for any purchases except essentials and to prioritise online deliveries where they can.