Coronavirus concerns have resulted in an increase in sales of essential items

Champions IGA chief financial officer Jason Seipolt said while there had been an increase, stores had no experienced a shortage in stock.

"We have seen a bit of an increase in people buying water, toilet paper and hand sanitiser," he said.

"That's been across the board. (We haven't had bare shelves), just a spike in guys having to order more items (from suppliers).

"I know one of the teams based in Sydney have seen a massive increase in some stores being out of rice, milk, tinned vegetables. But that hasn't been the case in Bendigo."

Maiden Gully IGA also reported an increase in hand sanitiser and toilet paper sales but stressed they still had a supply and didn't want people to worry.

Yesterday, Coles Bendigo was low on flour, bottled water and hand sanitiser with some shelves almost empty.

Australian Retailers Association executive director Russell Zimmerman says there is no need to panic following reports some retailers had experienced customer who were panic buying.

"We urge Australian consumers to go about their business as per usual at present," Mr Zimmerman said.

"There is absolutely no need to panic or to engage in the emergency stockpiling of consumer goods."

Mr Zimmerman said Coles and Woolworths had reported very busy trading conditions over the past few days and with sales volumes appearing higher than usual.

He said there was no risk of shortages at present.

"There is plenty of stock in distribution centres to supply retailers of essential items across the country," Mr Zimmerman said.

A Coles spokesperson said the business had increased its deliveries to stores to ensure popular products were available.

"Coles has increased the number of deliveries to stores this week to improve availability on popular products, such as long-life pantry staples and healthcare items," the spokesperson said. "Our teams are working hard to fill the shelves as quickly as possible.

"Like many retailers, we currently have a shortage of some antibacterial handwashes and hand sanitiser products due to high customer demand.

"We are continuing to work with our suppliers to maintain availability for customers."

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said it wasn't necessary stockpile goods because of coronavirus.

"I don't want to be critical of people who may be frightened, that doesn't help anything. But I would just say, we are not at a point where people need to be stockpiling," Mr Andrews said on Tuesday.