More than 3000 Woolworths employees have been forced into isolation due to local health advice, but the supermarket giant has pledged to ensure no customer will miss out.
In an email to customers, Woolworths CEO Brand Banducci said more than 3300 team members are currently in isolation on the advice of local health authorities.
As a result, Mr Banducci said customers may have noticed "some gaps on shelf this week" or have been unable to get their preferred home delivery slot.
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"You may have noticed some gaps on shelf this week, or substitutions in your online order," Mr Banducci wrote.
"Unlike 18 months ago, this is less to do with surges in customer demand (aka 'the toilet paper wars') and more because of the extra pressure on our Distribution Centres, with over 500 of those team members needing to self-isolate as close or casual contacts.
"The good news is that these team members, having tested negative, are starting to be cleared to come back to work."
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The CEO said customers who are online shopping in NSW and the ACT will be automatically allowing substitutions on all orders given the demand pressure.
"We know this isn't ideal, but it does mean there's less chance of missing out on an essential item," Mr Banducci said.
"We'll revert to your preference as soon as we possibly can."
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Woolworths is also prioritising close to one million customers who registered for its "Priority Assistance" program, which sees vulnerable community members such as the immunocompromised or those in mandatory isolation receive their grocery deliveries first.
Since July this year, more than 330,000 have chosen to shop online with Woolworths for the first time.
Mr Banducci said the "sense of frustration due to Delta is palpable" and the supermarkets understands the challenges the pandemic is producing for the nation's collective mental health.
