Sainsbury’s, Tesco, M&S and Morrisons are among the supermarkets planning for shortages

Supermarkets are preparing to introduce rationing for online shoppers to prevent panic buying in the event of a no-deal Brexit, The Sunday Times can reveal.

Sainsbury’s has begun drawing up plans to restrict the quantities of some goods that can be ordered online in an effort to stop consumers stockpiling. The plans have been decided amid claims that supermarkets’ food stocks could be depleted within just four days — with shoppers facing almost empty shelves within five days of a no-deal Brexit.

“With limited storage space, online rationing is among a number of measures that are being considered to help mitigate the effect of a no-deal Brexit,” a source familiar with the plans said.

A supplier said he was aware that Sainsbury’s was considering rationing.