No, such is the way of the UK. Other countries seem to have made a better job of addressing shopping issues.
SWMBO tells me that the local supermarket in Portugal instituted changes in face of panic buying.
Firstly, they reduced the opening hours and split the day into 2 halves, with a two-hour break to restock shelves (and in case of staff shortages).
Secondly, they repositioned their store security to the front doors and only allow 40 people in the shop at any one time - then it's one-out, one-in. The security also "encourage" people queueing to keep at least 1 metre apart.
Thirdly, they have limited the number of any one type of item - so the store throughput is quicker.
She says she had to wait 20 minutes to get into the store, but when she did, most things were on the shelves (I hope so, she still managed to spend €80!!!)