John Lewis Partnership announces new coronavirus related measures
The John Lewis Partnership has announced a raft of new measures to support customers through the coronavirus crisis.
These will include its Waitrose supermarket offering the elderly and vulnerable people priority shopping during the first opening hour of its stores each day.
Waitrose has also closed its cafes and rotisseries and has temporarily suspended making coffees in order to free up extra time for staff to keep shelves stocked with food and other essential items. In addition, some branches will be closing early to give staff time to restock shelves.
The supermarket is also extending existing limits on some online items by allowing customers to buy a maximum of three of any specific grocery item and a maximum of two packets of toilet roll.
Further intiatives include a £1million Community Support Fund where funds will be distributed by Waitrose shops to local communities. Help could include setting up extra local delivery services to support self-isolating, vulnerable and elderly people, delivering boxes of staple grocery items to local care homes and community groups, and donating products to create care packages for customers to share with vulnerable neighbours.
The John Lewis Partnership is also looking at offering online classes and advice to customers who are having to self-isolate at home. These could include craft classes and advice for expectant parents.
Sharon White, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said; “At this time of national crisis, the John Lewis Partnership is wholeheartedly committed to ensuring we support customers and in particular the elderly and most vulnerable. Our commitment to contribute to the wellbeing of the communities we operate in has always been at the heart of our business.
“Partners have been outstanding, supporting each other and responding to the huge surge in demand at Waitrose. More than 2,100 John Lewis Partners are helping in Waitrose shops this month and supporting deliveries; I am truly grateful to everyone.”
