U Stars supermarket in Choa Chu Kang can't give plastics bags despite shoppers' willingness to pay

A supermarket in Choa Chu Kang could not provide plastic bags to customers, even those willing to pay for them, which caused some of them to walk out without buying what they intended to purchase.

A man, surnamed Lee, visited U Stars Mega Mart at Block 810A Choa Chu Kang Avenue 7 on Oct. 26 at around 11pm, intending to pick up daily necessities.

However, the cashier informed him that the supermarket could not give him any plastic bags with his purchase, despite his willingness to pay for the bags.

Lee, who visited the supermarket three times throughout the day, told Shin Min Daily News that he saw several customers in the same predicament as him.

"Some even put their groceries back on the shelf and left without buying anything," he said.

Lee clarified that he saw plastic bags at the counter.

However, the staff were unwilling to provide him with those, and said "new regulations" had just been introduced.

"When I asked when the new regulations were introduced and why there was no notice, [the staff] hesitated and finally said that the regulations were just introduced the day before," he said.

The man then put his groceries into his carry-on bag and left the supermarket.

He told Shin Min that if the supermarket were to introduce new regulations, it should inform customers in a timely manner.

Supplier issues

When Mothership visited the supermarket on Nov. 3, a sign had been put up informing customers on the shortage of plastic bags.

Customers were encouraged to bring their own reusable bag.

Plastic bags were seen at the cashier counter, and were given to customers when needed.

It turns out, the supermarket chain is facing plastic bag supply issues.

A cashier revealed that the supermarket's supplier for plastic bags is currently facing a shortage of materials used to manufacture the bags.

The supplier apparently did not supply sufficient bags to tide through operations.

The supermarket is encouraging customers to bring their own bags, and to only take plastic bags if needed.

Mothership understands that the supermarket does not charge customers extra for plastic bags.

Top photo via Mothership