The coronavirus pandemic has caused chaos in supermarkets and shopping centres in Australia and around the world.
Last week, the nation’s two major supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths, were forced to temporarily freeze online deliveries due to unprecedented demand.
On Wednesday, Woolworths announced that trading hours at 41 stores would be reduced from 11am to 6pm to “support prioritising the delivery of groceries to the homes of vulnerable customers”.
The stores will be transformed into “priority delivery hubs eligible for “priority” delivery and assistance include the elderly, people with disability, those with compromised immunity and people in mandatory isolation.
Both Coles and Woolworths have also implemented dedicated early shopping hours from 7am-8am on weekdays for the elderly and those with a disability.
On Tuesday, Coles expanded that to twice-weekly exclusive hours for health and emergency care workers.
Coles said that it was also working out a new online priority service for vulnerable customers.
Keeping supermarkets safe
As COVID-19 spreads, supermarkets are encouraging shoppers to practise social distancing in the aisles.
Both Coles and Woolworths have recommended that shoppers keep the length of a trolley as a safe guideline.
German discount juggernaut Aldi has limited the number of shoppers allowed in the aisles at one time in selected stores, with priority given to those who require extra assistance.
The key message continues to be: Keep a safe distance from others, wash your hands, make use of hand sanitiser in store, and don’t go to the shop if you’re feeling unwell.
Retailers call for bailout as shoppers stay home
As consumers stay home to help limit the spread of COVID-19, the Australian Retailers Association has called for a federal government bailout to save the retail industry.
While shops have been allowed to stay open there has been a “clear indication by the Prime Minister and others that we should be very careful about how much we go out,” ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman told ABC News.
We’re being asked to leave the shops open, but we’re also asked not to go to the shops.”
ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman
The ARA and SDA are calling on the government to bailout the retail industry with measures including a weekly subsidy for retail workers, underwriting a line of credit for retailers to ensure they can stay open and guaranteeing rent payments from retailers to landlords.
“We employ 1.3 million people. We’re a $325 billion industry. That represents around 60 per cent of the domestic spend,” Mr Zimmerman said.
“If the industry collapses and if there is a carnage” then retailers could be forced into liquidation and “we will be in a bigger mess than what we are at the moment”, he warned.
Earlier this week, Australia’s major supermarkets were forced to freeze online shopping orders due to an unprecedented, coronavirus pandemic-induced, surge in demand.
While both Coles and Woolworths are now accepting online orders, albeit with no promises that all items will be available, it’s worth considering other options for getting fresh fruit and vegetables, ready-made meals, and pantry essentials delivered to your door, from meal-kit services to local farmers collectives.
Alternative food and grocery delivery services
With skyrocketing demand for home delivery as shoppers seek to skip cues, there are many small businesses providing alternatives to the big supermarkets.
Most of these businesses are run by local farmers and business owners and service small areas, so it’s best to do a some research online to find out what’s available where you live.
A number of major platforms including eBay, Amazon, and Catch, also have a selection of food and grocery items available for delivery.
Some local restaurants and caterers have adapted their menus and are offering takeaway, ready-made meals, and home delivery.
Food delivery services as Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Door Dash also operate in many areas.
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