By Tesco says to visit stores and free up delivery slots for the vulnerable
Despite government advice to avoid public spaces where possible, Tesco have asked people to visit their stores in order to buy food, freeing up delivery slots for the vulnerable and less able.
There have been numerous reports of vulnerable or high-risk people who are self-isolating struggling to access the limited delivery slots from many of the main supermarkets.
This has left them reliant on other people to bring them essentials, or meant they have simply gone without.
The supermarket said it wasn’t able to meet demand as more shoppers stay at home, despite the fact it has increased its online grocery shopping capacity by more than 20%.
A spokesperson for Tesco said:
“We know that it’s difficult right now to get a delivery slot for online shopping. We’re at full capacity for the next few weeks, so if you’re able to shop in-store safely instead of booking a delivery, it would be a great help. This will allow us to start freeing up more slots for the more vulnerable.
“We’re looking at every opportunity to increase the number of slots available. As we increase our capacity, we’ll also set aside more of these slots for our most vulnerable customers.”
Tesco normally operates 660,000 home delivery slots but it is now running around 805,000.
Last week, Tesco received a list of 110,000 names of people the government classed as vulnerable. The supermarket has contacted these people and offered them slots.
However, there will be many who are not registered, and who still rely on delivery slots being available.
The superstore is struggling to meet the increased demand, as almost 50,000 out of around 320,000 have been absent during the pandemic.
Tesco have said that following the initial panic buying which occurred during the first few weeks of the outbreak, and which has now subsided, sales rose by almost a third.
In contrast, sales of clothing and fuel fell by 70%.
Tesco have implemented changes in store in order to adhere to social distancing measures, and make the experience safer for staff and shoppers.
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