Foodstuffs responds to Government announcement to keep Auckland at Level 3 and rest of country to remain at Level 2
Foodstuffs NZ
Following the Government's announcement for Auckland to remain
at Alert Level 3 and the rest of the country to remain at Alert
Level 2 until at the very earliest, 11:59pm Wednesday 26 August,
Foodstuffs stores around the country are well-prepared to continue
to look after Aucklanders, and all New Zealanders, and ensure they
have access to the grocery essentials they need.
We have been prepared for this and want to assure customers that
our supply chain is strong, with a constant flow of grocery
essentials leaving our DCs and heading to stores around the country
24/7.
Please know how this announcement will continue to impact how
our stores operate and what customers can expect when they shop
with us. There may be some differences in shopping experiences
depending on the region.
But before heading to the store, we're asking all New Zealanders
to please look in their pantry first. If it's well stocked, please
only buy what you need when you visit the store. By shopping
normally, you're playing your part in helping New Zealand fight
Covid-19 and ensuring there is plenty of stock to go around for
others.
Safety and cleaning measures in store -the
safety of our teams and customers remains our top priority. We have
already reinstated safety and cleaning measures in all stores
nationwide which includes increased sanitisation of high touch
areas including checkout belts, EFTPOS terminals, self-checkouts
and trolleys.
Keep your distance -nationwide, customers will
already be familiar with the need to adhere to physical distancing
of 2 metres between other customers and staff, so please keep your
distance. In the North Island, we have also closed every second
checkout and self-checkout, and have reinstated signage reminding
customers to keep their distance.
Managed customer numbers in store -stores
nationwide will be limiting the number of customers in store at any
one time. This is incredibly important to ensure customers can move
freely around the store to get their grocery essentials and
maintain a safe distance away from other customers and staff. We
thank customers in advance for their patience if there is an
external queue at their local store.
Delivering value and fair prices -we are in
uncertain times, but one thing New Zealanders can be certain of is
our mission to keep shelves stocked and to continue delivering
promotions and specials. Just like the previous lockdown, we are
endeavoring to keep promotions going and are working hard with our
suppliers to continue delivering fair value and great prices for
our customers.
One customer, one trolley -in the Auckland
region only, we are asking customers to please nominate one person
from your household to do the family shop. This means a one
customer, one trolley policy. By sticking to this policy, we're
able to allow more customers in store and keep any queues
moving.
Stores are trying hard to keep queues short as they know queuing
outside in winter can be cold and wet for customers which is less
than ideal, so please, shop alone.
Scan the NZ Covid Tracer QR code -we ask all
customers, regardless of where they live, to please scan the NZ
Covid Tracer app QR code at store entrances and to follow the
prompts to register. This is to keep you, other customers and staff
safe in the event the Ministry of Health needs to implement contact
tracing.
Bag packers will vary by store -in order to
reduce contact in-store, all Auckland stores have paused bag
packing. Please check with your local store if they still have bag
packers at checkout as this may vary across the North Island. We
are asking all North Island customers to please be prepared to pack
their own groceries in the event their store has paused this
service.
Reusable bags will vary by store -to reduce
contact between customers and staff, and to move customers through
the checkout process more quickly, we're asking all Auckland
customers to please leave their reusable bags in the car or at
home. Please check with your local store if they are still allowing
reusable bags in-store, as this may vary across the North Island.
But, we ask all North Island customers to please be prepared to
pack their groceries directly into their trolley and then into
their car. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Wear a mask if you can -in line with the
Government's guidance, Aucklanders are highly encouraged to cover
their nose and mouth with a face covering when outside of their
home. If you live in Auckland and visit one of our stores, please
wear a face mask or cover your mouth and nose with a face
covering.
We have millions of masks -we have been
preparing for this since the last lockdown and nationwide, we have
more than 8 million masks in our supply chain. Our teams are
working tirelessly to get these through the system and onto store
shelves for customers. If a customer's store is low or out of mask
supply, please rest assured that more stock is on the way - it's
simply making its way through.
Product limitations will vary by store -we have
an incredibly robust supply chain and our teams are working
tirelessly to ensure a steady flow of product into stores around
the country. Product limitations will vary by store regardless of
region. Before heading to the supermarket, we ask all customers to
take a look in their pantry first - if it is still well stocked,
please only buy what you need.
Use contactless payment if you can -we
encourage customers nationwide to use contactless payments as
another way of reducing contact.
Shop online where available -please shop
normally if you shop online with one of our North Island stores.
There is currently high demand for online, and we apologise
if your first choice of timeslot is not available - please bear
with us, the team is working hard to fulfil orders and make more
timeslots available. Note: our store teams have reinstated
contactless delivery protocols for your safety and theirs.
Ask our friends at SVA for help - for all our
elderly or vulnerable neighbours nationwide who are unable to do
their grocery shop, please consider asking the Student Volunteer
Army for support. Their team of trusted volunteers will contactless
deliver straight to your doorstep. If you need assistance, or know
someone who needs assistance, please email help@sva.org.nz or call 0800 005
902.
Stay home and stay safe -please only visit the store if you
absolutely need to purchase your grocery essentials. If you are
feeling unwell, please stay home.
#shopnormal -please only buy what you need, as
you need it. It's important we all shop normally as this helps keep
shelves stocked and ensures all New Zealanders can get the
essentials they need.
We have been here before and we will get through this again.
Please be patient, considerate and kind and we'll get through this
together.
