In recent weeks, supermarkets have faced unprecedented demand from customers worried about the implications of the pandemic. Many new measures have been implemented, such as placing limits on the number of the products a shopper can buy and introducing dedicated hours for the elderly, vulnerable, and for NHS and social care workers. The government have temporarily relaxed elements of competition law, enabling retailers to work together on contingency plans and share resources.
Supermarkets across the UK are innovatively adapting to the challenge presented by the COVID-19 outbreak. Waitrose have introduced a number of initiatives to provide support to our community. A £1 million Community Support Fund will be available to Waitrose shop managers to help those in need in their local communities. Such help could include setting up additional local delivery services to support the self-isolating, the vulnerable, the elderly and those looking after them; delivering boxes of the most essential items to local care homes and community groups, and donating products to create care packages for customers to share with vulnerable neighbours.
Coronavirus: ‘I applied and got a job three hours later’ applicant says as supermarkets hire thousands’ (sky news)
Britain’s supermarkets are recruiting thousands of temporary workers to cope with surging demand. Tescos, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Morrisons, Asda, Lidl, and Co-op have all announced recruitment drives. These offer excellent opportunities, particularly for school leavers, university students, and those who have sadly recently lost their jobs. You can apply for a temporary position with Waitrose here.
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