// Tesco, Sainsburys, Asda & Iceland open early for the elderly and vulnerable to shop during Covid-19 pandemic
// Customers are urged to shop in store where possible to free up slots for the more vulnerable
Grocers are implementing elderly hours in stores for vulnerable customers to shop when its quieter and stock up on essentials due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Asda announced it will open be open for vulnerable shoppers before 9am tomorrow
The grocer’s chief executive Roger Burnley asked customers in a letter “postpone going to stores until at least 9am”.
READ MORE:
“We must help to shield the most vulnerable in our communities from this virus,” he said.
Earlier in the week Iceland also announced that some of its stores will open an hour earlier to allow the elderly to shop when it is quieter and to get first dibs on essentials.
100 of its branches across the UK are now open from 8am between Monday and Friday for those who are at highest risk from the virus.
Tesco has implemented the same measures, prioritising one hour every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning between 9-10am except in Express stores to the vulnerable.
Tesco’s chief executive Dave Lewis also encouraged customers who shop online or choose Click+Collect for their grocery home shopping to prioritise shopping in-store where possible to help free up slots for the more vulnerable.
In a similar open letter to customers, Sainsbury’s CEO Mike Coupe said the grocer has listened to feedback from customers and staff concerned about vulnerable individuals and is taking extra steps “to make sure everyone has access to the items that they need.”
Supermarkets continue to urge customers to be “considerate” as panic buying has seen shelves stripped of staple products, leaving many without staple products.