Brisk business at grocery stores
Replenishing empty shelves a priority
One of the strongholds bound to survive the economic tailspin created by the coronavirus are stores that sell groceries.
Lineups and stockpiling have become a common occurrence as the number of diagnosed cases rises.
Business has been brisk at all grocery stores in the region.
This newsroom spoke with a couple of businesses to get a sense of what was going on beyond the shelves.
Adam Grachnik, director of corporate affairs for Walmart Canada, which stocks groceries in addition to other retail goods, says the company knows that COVID-19 is top of mind for Canadians across the country.
“Walmart is monitoring the situation very closely, adhering to guidance from public health authorities and taking several decisive actions in this time of uncertainty,” he said.
He added the primary focus is the health and wellness of associates (employees), customers and communities and extends a thank you to everyone, especially frontline health-care workers who are working tirelessly on this effort.
Some of the safeguards implemented by Walmart to date include providing its stores, distribution centres and corporate offices with information on taking proper precautions and supporting them with questions they have. The company has also updated travel guidelines to only critical business travel.
Replenishing empty shelves is a priority.
“We are doing our very best to stock our stores and Walmart.ca as quickly as possible with the products customers are asking for right now — e.g. hand sanitizer, paper products, cleaning supplies and nonperishables etc.,” said Grachnik.
There is a very high demand for pickup and delivery services and associates and partners are working hard to fulfil every order, he says.
“We are communicating with customers about the status of their orders because there is a lot of pressure on the system. We appreciate everyone’s patience.”
The business is ensuring its customers are receiving the products they want at the “same usual everyday low prices they expect and deserve.”
Cleaning has increased in the stores, and associates are dedicated to cleaning key areas throughout the day.
“We will always be there for our 90,000 associates,” said Grachnik. “We’ve asked any associates who are not feeling well to feel confident staying home and we will be there to support them.”
A new policy has been initiated that provides additional financial support for associates that are under mandated quarantine. Associates will be eligible to receive pay for hours scheduled to work during the two-week quarantine period.
“For our associates who are not feeling well, we have flexible pay and time-off options so they can also choose to stay home.”
A short distance away at the Atlantic Superstore, pay protection has also been established for employees.
Mark Boudreau, director of corporate affairs for Loblaw Atlantic (Atlantic Superstore), says a COVID-19 Pay Protection Program for their employees has been implemented.
“Through this program, any colleague or employee — full-time or part-time — who has been mandated by a public health official to enter selfquarantine will be eligible for 100 per cent pay protection.”
One of the more appealing services these days, offered by Loblaw, is PC Express. Customers can shop online and have their groceries delivered.
“To support these customers, we’re increasing staffing to support online grocery orders, as well as waiving fees. So, customers can use our PC Express service without charge,” said Boudreau.
Although he declined to comment on sales, he confirmed typical customer shopping habits have been impacted by the COVID-19 virus.
“As I’m sure you can appreciate, our teams are focused on helping our stores best support our customers.”
In some markets, customers have increased their purchases of key staples, including sanitation and cleaning items, paper products and canned goods, says Boudreau.
As customers stock up, whether in-store or online, some items will be sold out.
“We know the frustration of an empty shelf and have assigned an entire team to the challenge of rapidly re-stocking key food, health, cleaning and comfort items. Our teams have increased inventory on those products and wherever possible we expect to be fully back in stock in the coming days. In some cases, limits may be imposed to help us ensure more customers have access to the products they need.”