If you attempted to brave the supermarket this weekend, chances are you'll have been met with scenes that can only resemble an apocalypse.

In a flurry of selfish stockpiling, shoppers have been filling their baskets with every loaf of bread, packet of rice and toilet roll in sight, leaving some of the most vulnerable unable to purchase the essentials.

As a result, Aldi decided to put a rationing system in place, meaning that consumers were limited to buying a maximum of four of each product in store.

Following the rationing decision, Aldi's CEO Giles Hurley has now issued a statement to shoppers to update them about stock levels.

Posting on Facebook, he said: "As you will be aware, all supermarkets have been working very hard to keep up with demand over the last few days.

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"I am writing to reassure you, and all our other valued customers, that our colleagues and trusted suppliers are working round the clock to keep our warehouses fully stocked.

"We have increased orders from our suppliers and our warehouses have sufficient stock to replenish all stores. This includes all of the essentials such as sanitary and baby products.

"Our amazing colleagues have been working tirelessly to restock our stores. However, unprecedented demand for certain products has made it difficult for us to ensure that there are no gaps on shelves.

"All of our stores receive daily deliveries, often multiple times a day. So if a certain product is not available when you visit, it will be replenished in the overwhelming majority of cases by the following day.

"We have taken action to discourage people buying more than they need. Customers are currently limited to buying four items of any one product during each visit. This is still significantly more than most customers would buy in a normal shopping trip and we hope this temporary restriction will give as many customers as possible the opportunity to get what they need, every time they visit.

"I’m sure, like me, you are also concerned about those who are vulnerable at this time. Not everyone has the financial or practical resources to buy in bulk, including our elderly customers. We all have a responsibility to ensure we only buy what we and our families need. If we shop as we normally do, our stores will quickly return to normal.

"Finally, my sincere thanks to you for your continued support and to every single one of our colleagues. It’s the people at Aldi that make our business special and they have come together like never before to serve you, our customers, during this extremely busy time.

"With very best wishes, Giles Hurley, CEO Aldi UK and Ireland."

Shoppers have welcomed the update, with many thanking the supermarket chain for putting measures in place to prevent stockpiling.

Responding to the update, one shopper said: "Thank you, was in my local store yesterday, it was crazy, really felt for all your staff who were doing an amazing job, although limiting items is deffinately the right thing, I witnessed a guy buy 3 packs of 25 toilet rolls =75 rolls! When other people couldn't buy any, so maybe limit certain items even more."

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"And please people ... be nice to the staff who are doing their very best in a difficult situation. Manners cost nothing and a little kindness and consideration to all makes a big difference," said somebody else.

"Great decision in general but shouldn't be on all products only on them were is high demand, there are some families like ours were we do only one day weekly shop and some items I do buy more then 4 and by limiting all it will force me to go shopping more than once a week," added a third.

Be kind, people! It's a difficult time for everyone right now.