Face masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer gels have become scarce commodities since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, which the World Health Organization recently declared a pandemic.
As demand for these protective items soars, some countries are experiencing shortages, causing prices to spike dramatically and sometimes reach levels that seem exorbitant. In Denmark, to prevent a run on disinfectant gel caused by panic buying, a local supermarket came up with a clever solution.
Specifically, the store is selling bottles of hand sanitizer for €5.50 each. However, if a customer attempts to purchase a second bottle, the price skyrockets from €5.50 to €134 per unit. This means that buying two bottles would cost the customer a total of €268. The intent behind this pricing strategy is to discourage excessive purchasing.
Shoppers quickly understood the message: they are now only buying one bottle of disinfectant gel instead of hoarding multiple containers. This innovative approach effectively curbed panic buying and helped ensure that more people can access this essential hygiene product during a critical period.
