Retailers working with suppliers to ensure 'steady supply' of ART kits

Demand for antigen rapid test (ART) kits has spiked in recent weeks during the Chinese New Year festive period, but retailers said they are ordering more kits to replenish stocks.

Pharmacy chains like Guardian said that demand for test kits has doubled since mid January, due to the festivities, and more people returning to their workplaces.

"This is significantly higher than what we observed in November and December last year," said a spokesman for DFI Retail Group, which owns stores including Guardian, Cold Storage and Giant.

"We have also seen an increase in demand in the past week as more consumers are taking extra precautions and conducting self-tests before their New Year visits."

A check on the Guardian's online store on Wednesday (Feb 9) showed that while larger boxes of five and 25-piece boxes of test kits were sold out, there were still individual and two-piece test kits available.

Watsons has also seen a spike in demand in the past two days, in both its physical and online stores.

"Available stocks are snapped up fast upon hitting the stores," said a spokesman.

Currently it only has individual test kits available for purchase on its online stores, while larger boxes containing multiple test kits are sold out.

Similarly, FairPrice, said that demand for ART kits has been "elevated" in the past week. ART kits are stocked at various outlets owned by the group, including Unity pharmacies and supermarkets.

"This could be due to the heightened number of Covid-19 cases and public awareness on regular testing as a way of life in the evolving Covid-19 situation," said a FairPrice spokesman.

As at Tuesday (Feb 8), the total number of locally transmitted Covid-19 cases in Singapore rose to 12,791, with 1,194 patients hospitalised.

This was the fourth day in a row hospitalisation numbers had crossed the 1,000 mark.

However, all three retailers have reassured customers that they have sufficient supplies, for now.

Said the DFI spokesman: "Currently, Guardian has sufficient supplies. At the same time, we are ordering more and working closely with our suppliers to ensure a steady supply of ART kits."

FairPrice said that more stocks are expected to arrive in the next two weeks.

"We continue to work closely with our suppliers to meet the needs of customers," added the spokesman.

Watsons said that in anticipation of more demand, they have placed orders for more supplies as well.

The Straits Times has also reached out to the distributors of ART kits for comment.