Waitrose battles panic buying with shoppers limited to three items from the same line as it gears up to launch online cookery classes
- To counter stockpiling, Waitrose toilet paper sales limited to two per person
- No more than three of the same item for any product can be sold in Waitrose
- Retainer launching major local community fund and online classes for shoppers
The John Lewis Partnership and Waitrose have introduced a string of measures to help elderly and vulnerable consumers during the coronavirus pandemic.
The department store chain will be launching ‘protected’ shopping times for its elderly and vulnerable customers and today unveiled a £1million ‘Community Support Fund’ to be distributed by Waitrose to local communities.
In a bid to counter stock piling, Waitrose is now also limiting the number of any item shoppers buy to a maximum of three, while toilet paper packs are limited to no more than two per person.
The grocery shopping limit excludes fresh fruit and vegetables as well as Easter sweets, beers, wines, cider and spirits.
Limits: In a bid to counter stock piling, Waitrose is now also limiting the number of any item shoppers buy to a maximum of three
The retailer is also looking to be able to offer online classes to people who need to self-isolate at home, covering anything from crafting skills to advice for expectant mothers.
Sharon White, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said; ‘At this time of national crisis, the John Lewis Partnership is wholeheartedly committed to ensuring we support customers and in particular the elderly and most vulnerable.
‘Our commitment to contribute to the wellbeing of the communities we operate in has always been at the heart of our business.
‘Partners have been outstanding, supporting each other and responding to the huge surge in demand at Waitrose. More than 2,100 John Lewis Partners are helping in Waitrose shops this month and supporting deliveries; I am truly grateful to everyone.’
From this Friday, elderly and vulnerable Waitrose shoppers will be able to enjoy a ‘prioritised and dedicated’ shopping hour at the first opening hour of the shop.
The group said Waitrose was also looking at ways to help vulnerable customers who need food delivered to their homes.
Coffee making in Waitrose supermarkets has been suspended and the chain’s cafes and rotisserie counters have also been closed.
According to the partnership, ‘this will free up extra hours for Partners to keep shelves stocked with food and essential items.’ The supermarket said some Waitrose stores will also need to close early to enable staff to restock shelves.
Partner measures: All staff at the John Lewis Partnership will now get free meals at work
To stave off loneliness and boredom as people self isolate, the retailer is also looking to introduce online classes on thinks like cooking and craft and advice to expectant mothers.
It said: ‘Expectant parents seeking important nursery advice for example could book an online session with a specialist nursery advisor to help them plan the key things to think about before their baby arrives. Other services could include wellbeing advice; craft and cookery classes provided by Partners online, or on one to one calls.’
For its partners ‘working long hours to meet the needs of customers’, the retailer said is is setting up a support fund to aid staff facing additional costs as a result of the pandemic. Staff will also receive free meals at work from now on.
Retailers like the John Lewis Partnership face a tough time as the pandemic rages, with shoppers ordered by the Government to stay away from others. A string of retailers like Next and Superdry have already warned that their sales, both online and in-store, will take a hefty hit as a result of the pandemic. At the same time, sales and supermarkets are booming, as are their share prices.