Sainsbury’s delivery: When are Sainsbury’s delivery slots released?
As coronavirus spreads across the UK and the Government implements measures to prevent further casualties, Britons have flocked to shops to buy extra items in case of a lockdown. According to data from Nielsen Scantrack, panicked shoppers spent an extra £57.3 million on items for “stockpiling”.
These items included medicines, handwash and canned food in the first week of March compared to the previous week as pandemic panic set in.
Shocking images on social media show empty shelves in supermarkets across the country.
Amid the rush, Environment Secretary George Eustace told the Commons there was “significant resilience in our food supply chain” and no shortage of food.
“There isn’t a shortage of food, the challenge that we’ve had is getting food to shelves in time when people have been purchasing more.”
Read More: School closures: When will schools reopen? How long are schools closed
READ MORE
-
Zoe Ball shuns isolation to give blood amid the coronavirus pandemic
Now, supermarkets nationwide have announced measures to restrict purchases and ensure the availability of goods for the elderly and vulnerable customers.
Sainsbury’s said it would only allow customers to buy a maximum of three of any single item.
Posters in stores urged customers to “Please think before you buy” and warning of the limits on certain items.
These include pain relief, sanitising and long-life lines.
But when are Sainsbury’s delivery slots released?
On Thursday, Sainsbury’s opened its doors only to the elderly and vulnerable for the first two hours of trading.
Further measures are being implemented so the supermarket chain can prioritise vulnerable and elderly people for online deliveries.
There are currently limited slots available, with a message on the Sainsbury’s website reading: “Because of high demand, we don’t have many delivery slots available right now.”
DON’T MISS
Motorists could catch coronavirus from their cars [INSIGHT]
Bank of England cuts interest rates to 0.1% in emergency move [BREAKING]
Coronavirus lockdown: Will shops be open on lockdown? [EXPLAINED]
READ MORE
- Coronavirus crisis: 16 migrants rescued as they made bid for UK
From March 23, Sainsbury’s said disabled customers and those aged over 70 will be given priority for online delivery slots.
In a statement on their website, Sainsbury’s said: “We will contact these customers in the coming days with more details.”
Anyone who is able is being asked to travel into stores instead of booking a delivery, as the stores will operate an “expanded ‘click and collect’ service.
“We are significantly increasing the number of collection sites across the country over the coming days in preparation for this.
“Customers can place their order online as usual and pick it up from a collection point in the store car park.
“Please let us know if you are self-isolating to help us provide this service for you too.”
Sainsbury’s chief executive Mike Coupe added it was “focusing all of our efforts on getting as much food and other essential items from our suppliers, into our warehouses and onto shelves as we possibly can.
“We still have enough food for everyone – if we all just buy what we need for us and our families.”
Mr Coupe confirmed that it was closing its cafes as well as its fish, pizza and meat counters to free up more staff to work on “keeping the shelves as well-stocked as possible.”
On Thursday, shoppers were queuing stretching along the streets early on Thursday morning to buy basic supplies such as bottled water and tinned goods ahead of an expected toughening of measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
Toilet roll, cleaning products and bread have been other essential buys in recent days, with shelves wiped bare.
Outside one Sainsbury’s supermarket in central London on Thursday, a huge queue had formed ahead of opening, with people standing calmly in the rain.
Source: Read Full Article