Online retailer Ocado has warned its customers that it may face shortages of certain products during the current coronavirus lockdown.

In an email, the company explained that changes to the UK supply chain had affected its suppliers and that there may be shortages of certain products. It continued to say that shoppers could expect “an increase in the number of missing items and substitutions” over the next few weeks.

The email read: “Changes to the UK supply chain have affected some of our suppliers and may result in an increase in missing items and substitutions over the next few weeks. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and we are working to mitigate any impact.

“Staff absences across the supply chain may lead to an increase in product substitutions for a small number of customers as some suppliers consolidate their offering to maintain output.”

A number of other major retailers within the UK have reassured their customers that they will not face shortages, with certain supermarkets unveiling plans to increase online delivery and click and collect slots.

Morrisons has announced that it is to expand its click and collect service to 447 stores across the UK following the latest lockdown, with Asda also revealing plans to double its the size of its partnership with Uber Eats in the coming week, with the aim of achieving 900,000 weekly deliveries by April.

Roger Burnley, Asda CEO and president, said: “Our stores and distribution centres have proved to be highly resilient to the challenges of a national lockdown and we are confident that we can continue to deliver choice and value for customers in the weeks ahead.” Sainsbury’s chief executive, Simon Roberts, added: “We have good availability of products in our stores and online and we have new stock arriving from our suppliers every day. You can still feel confident that you can find what you need at Sainsbury’s and if we all continue to buy just what we need, there will be enough food for everyone.”