Coronavirus lockdown: online supermarket shopping struggles with demand
Tuesday, 11 August 2020
Supermarkets’ online shopping sites struggled to keep up with demand and queues formed for shops around the country as people rushed to get groceries ahead of Auckland moving to level 3, and the rest of the country to level 2, on Wednesday.
Although Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern urged people not to rush out to the supermarket after her announcement on Tuesday night, it appeared that many did not follow her advice.
Countdown’s website displayed a messaging saying “lots of people are shopping right now”.
“We’re experiencing very high demand for our online shopping service so there is a queue. We’ll get you back into the shop as soon as we can.”
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Essential businesses, such as retailers, will be able to open in level 3. Those who can offer a contactless click-and-collect or delivery service can also continue.
In a statement, a spokeswoman for Foodstuffs, which operates Pak’n Save and New World, said it would reactivate social distancing and health and safety protocols across its stores and supply chain.
Customer numbers would be restricted in the wider Auckland area, with a one-customer one-trolley policy and no reusable bags brought into the store, among other measures.
Outside Auckland, shoppers would experience increased sanitisation and safety measures.
“While we truly hoped it wouldn’t happen, as a business we just had to plan that another outbreak could occur, and the teams have been prepared for some time should we need to reinstate previous alert level protocols. Foodstuffs has good stocks of PPE and hand sanitiser, and our teams are familiar with what is required to keep both themselves and our customers safe from Covid-19.
“We would like to reassure customers that, just like before, our supply chain is robust. We are working hard to make sure all the grocery items New Zealand households might need are on the shelf and readily available.”
Shopping normally would be the best way to ensure no pressure was put on that supply chain.
Countdown general manager, health and safety, Kiri Hannifin said there would also be limits on customer numbers, limits on some products, physical distancing and extra cleaning in its stores.
”We’d echo the Prime Minister’s comments that there is no need at all for anyone to stock up – we have plenty of food an supplies for everyone and we want everyone to shop as they usually would and consider others.”
Greg Harford of Retail NZ said it was not the news Auckland retailers were hoping for.
''It is really bad news for retail businesses who will now be required to close their doors for 72 hours, and it's not good news for the rest of the country either, because it will undoubtedly dent consumer confidence about getting out and about.''
He said his group would be contacting its retail members overnight but those who didn't get the news that way would probably hear before the restrictions came into effect at midday Wednesday.