Posted 11/08/2020

Foodstuffs responds to Government announcement to move Auckland back to Alert Level 3

Following the announcement by the Prime Minister this evening that there is a case of community transmission in South Auckland, and the requirement for the greater Auckland area to re-enter Alert Level 3 from midday tomorrow, Foodstuffs will be reactivating overnight the social distancing and health and safety protocols across our stores and supply chain.

Customers visiting all stores across the wider Auckland area can expect to see the following Customer and Team safety measures in place:

• 2 metre social distancing
• Restricted customer numbers in-store
• One customer, one trolley
• No bag packers at check out
• No reusable bags to be bought into store
• Increased sanitisation, hygiene and cleaning protocols throughout the supermarket including, on entry, at checkout and other high touch areas
• Social distancing signage and posters advising of customer requirements

In recognition of the fact the rest of New Zealand is now in Alert Level 2, customers outside of Auckland can expect to also see increased sanitisation and safety measures when they visit their local supermarket. These measures will be in place, initially from midday Wednesday12 August until midnight Friday 14 August - but this may be extended depending on the advice received from Government over the coming days.

While we truly hoped it wouldn’t happen, as a business we just had to plan that another outbreak could occur, and the teams have been prepared for some time should we need to reinstate previous Alert Level protocols. Foodstuffs has good stocks of PPE and hand sanitiser, and our teams are familiar with what is required to keep both themselves and our customers safe from COVID-19.

We would like to reassure customers that, just like before, our supply chain is robust. We are working hard to make sure all the grocery items New Zealand households might need are on the shelf and readily available.

We ask that shoppers #shopnormal – this is the best way to ensure no pressure is put on the supply chain. Just buy what you need, as you need it. Our teams have got your back New Zealand – help us by being kind to one another, we know how to do this. Keep your distance, sanitise and use good hand washing techniques and most of all remember your safety comes first for us.

Posted 10/06/2020

Foodstuffs celebrates stamping out COVID-19 with a return to normal in stores

Foodstuffs is proud to stand with New Zealanders and celebrate the elimination of COVID-19, and a return to shopping normally for our stores, teams and most importantly, our customers.

After 75 days of restrictions to head off the COVID-19 threat and to protect one another, especially our most vulnerable New Zealanders, by staying home and keeping tight bubbles, we are pleased that our stores are back to normal.

Everything customers know and love about their local New World, PAK’nSAVE or Four Square, has returned, with a few exceptions including our enhanced hygiene and cleaning protocols so we can continue to keep our staff and customers safe, and Ministry of Health QR code signage for contact tracing.

“We are thankful to our customers and to all New Zealanders for their hard work and sacrifices that have helped us all to eliminate COVID-19 and get to Level 1,” says Chris Quin, CEO of Foodstuffs North Island. “There is no denying that the last couple of months have been challenging. Our team and our supplier partners battled with pressures on key products like hand sanitiser and toilet paper in February, and then yeast and flour flew off the shelves in March as New Zealanders discovered their inner baker, and throughout lockdown we had to manage stringent physical distancing measures and limit numbers in store, all of which posed unique challenge for store teams.

But thanks to our customers, we navigated this hardship together and have come out on the other side stronger and wiser. Thank you to every New Zealander for the positive role you played throughout this crisis, and thank you to our suppliers for partnering and rolling their sleeves up to assure New Zealanders had what they needed for their families.”

“On behalf of our 39,000-strong team, to New Zealand’s 5 million-strong team, thank you for your patience, understanding and collaboration,” says Steve Anderson, CEO of Foodstuffs South Island. “We’ve looked out for one another, played it safe and remained vigilant, and these efforts enabled us to beat COVID-19 together. Our teams look forward to continue feeding New Zealand and welcoming customers back in store without the restrictions of COVID-19.”

• Our fresh experts in our Bakery, Deli, Butchery and Seafood serve over departments are back to full service and look forward to serving up mouth-watering doughnuts, the freshest catch of the day, finest meats and more to customers.
• Physical distancing is no longer required in-store, which means there are no more customer limits or queues to enter stores. We’ve also opened back up all checkout lanes and self-checkouts.
• We invite you to shop with your friends, family, spouse, whānau or children again, rather than alone. Thanks for bearing with us on this one.
• Our BYO container and reusable coffee cup offerings have returned.

Customers will continue to see our enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocol in stores, as well as hand sanitising stations, so we can continue to keep our customers and staff safe. The perspex screens are also sticking around for a bit longer. In line with the Government’s request to continue making contact tracing available, some stores will make available QR codes for customers to scan and register upon store entry.

“It’s been a long road from #shopnormal to shopping normally again, but we did it New Zealand,” says Quin. “When you return to stores and settle back into your new normal, our team look forward to serving you and maybe helping you enjoy a celebratory coffee or doughnut.”

“You did a damn good job New Zealand. Thank you.”

Posted 12/05/2020

Four Square confirms supermarket safety protocols remain at Alert Level 2

Four Square is in complete support of the Government’s plan to move the country to Alert Level 2 and the strong need to focus on continued physical distancing as New Zealand transitions down from Alert Level 3. New Zealand has gamely tackled COVID-19 and the consistently low number of new cases now being identified is extremely positive. We believe a cautious move back to a more widely functioning economy is a very positive step.

The requirement to continue appropriate physical distancing, in particular from strangers, means that at Alert Level 2 customers will experience largely the same safety protocols at the supermarket as they saw during Alert Levels 3 and 4. We will continue to maintain the heightened cleaning protocols, perspex protection screens and physical distancing – and numbers in-store will continue to be managed to ensure both staff and customer safety.

As New Zealand moves back to Alert Level 2, we remain extremely appreciative of the hard work our emergency services, police and medical teams have put in as the country has fought hard against COVID-19. Priority queuing was originally put in place to facilitate access while store hours were limited during Alert Levels 3 and 4 and as opening hours have now returned to normal it feels like the right time to cease this service.

Our stores remain 100% committed to ensuring New Zealanders grocery needs are met, and the teams are firmly focused on managing supply, meeting customers’ needs and ensuring a safe and comfortable shopping experience for all.

We will continue to monitor the number of people allowed in stores as we have during previous alert levels to maintain the appropriate physical distancing. Stores are now allowing customers to shop with their families on a store by store basis, but if you can, please continue to shop alone. If you need to shop with your partner or children, please comply with physical distancing measures and stick together when shopping in store.

We acknowledge some of the physical distancing protocols will be challenging as we head into winter, and we ask customers to bear with us as the teams do their very best to keep queues outside to a minimum while adhering to health and safety requirements.

We ask shoppers to please remain patient and considerate of each other and our staff during this time – #shopnormal #shopsafe #bekind.

Posted 05/05/2020

Foodstuffs’ $1 million donation to support more than 30 charities across New Zealand

Foodstuffs’ brands – New World, PAK’nSAVE, Four Square, Gilmours and Trents – made a commitment in mid-April to donate more than $1 million to help New Zealanders who are facing tough times due to COVID-19.

Read More

Posted 22/04/2020

Four Square and Dick Frizzell team up to support New Zealand charities

Four Square and New Zealand artist Dick Frizzell have joined forces to produce a limited-edition artwork print, with all profits of the prints going towards supporting New Zealand charities.

There are three New Zealand charities customers can choose from to support when they purchase an artwork print – KiwiHarvest, Lifeline and Women’s Refuge.

“Four Square’s DNA is by locals for locals, and we have a responsibility to look after all New Zealanders and our communities, especially during this challenging time,” says Kamran Kazalbash, Head of Marketing and CX for Four Square. “We collaborated with Dick to identify how we could support local charities who are experiencing an increase in demand due to COVID-19.

KiwiHarvest, Lifeline and Women’s Refuge are incredible charities who have a presence in every community across the country. We’re giving customers the option to choose which charity they would like to support so they can have a positive and direct impact on a charitable cause that is close to their heart.”

The limited-edition artwork print, in true Dick Frizzell style, features Mr. Four Square and his family, reminding New Zealand to stand together in solidarity during an unprecedented time. Mrs. Four Square and their two children are rarely featured publicly and are reprising their roles to complete the Four Square family. Every artwork print is also hand-signed by Dick.

“Dick’s artistry is synonymous with New Zealand culture, and Four Square has been an integral part of New Zealand culture for almost 96 years,” says Kazalbash. “Supporting one another, especially our most in-need individuals and communities, is the New Zealand way and we’re proud to be able to help in any way we can.”

“Four Square has transcended from being your local supermarket into something much bigger in our cultural narrative,” says Dick Frizzell. “I’ve been painting Mr Four Square for decades, and he’s always been a Kiwiana symbol of nostalgia and local pride. It makes sense to bring him out during this time and remind New Zealanders that once was will be again, and there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.”

The limited-edition artwork print costs $99, including delivery, and can be purchased here.

Posted 14/04/2020

We know how much you care about your thriving local community. It’s a passion that's shared by our Four Square Supermarket teams throughout New Zealand. Access to healthy and affordable food for you and your community is vital – especially those who are struggling the most.

This need is even more critical right now as the economic impact of COVID-19 starts to affect so many Kiwis. We don't underestimate that this is a serious and challenging time for you, which is why the Four Square Supermarkets team is proud to be part of Foodstuffs' donation to New Zealanders in need.

Supporting New Zealand

On behalf of both Foodstuffs Co-operatives, all New World, PAK'nSAVE and Four Square Supermarket teams and owner operators across New Zealand, we want to say thank you.

• We're grateful for the kindness and understanding you are showing as we continue to navigate these challenging times
• We remain committed to playing our part to feed New Zealand

Our locally owned stores and Foodstuffs co-operatives already support many organisations doing great work in our local communities – from food banks to schools, community initiatives and charities

• Last year our stores donated the equivalent of 8 million meals to New Zealanders through food rescue partnerships alone
• We're proud to continue supporting their incredible work

A boost in support for those who need it most

To further support our communities, we will be donating more than $1 million to help New Zealanders who are facing tough times due to COVID-19, through a number of our charitable and social partners.

This additional $1m donation will enable key community partners to support Kiwis in-need even further, and enables them to kickstart innovative initiatives aimed at getting groceries to our most physically and financially vulnerable during this time.

The organisations will include existing partnerships we have such as local community food banks, food rescue partners, Eat My Lunch, and the Student Volunteer Army.

Thanking you and our amazing staff

Thank you our amazing staff and customers, you have been patient, kind and supportive over the past few weeks. During this time:

• We have hired more than 1500 employees to meet your needs
• We look forward to continuing to build on our 39,000 strong workforce
• We are giving our waged front-line, distribution and transport employees a 10% allowance on top of their pay for the hours worked throughout the lockdown

Working hard to meet your needs

We are incredibly proud of our team who have been working hard to keep stores clean, well-stocked and open over the last six weeks. During that time there have been significant shifts in demand for a variety of food, grocery and household essentials.

• Our supply chain has been working 24/7 to keep store shelves stocked to meet customers’ changing needs and our stock level in stores is normalising
• Our amazing teams continue to stock shelves throughout the day and night so you have access to the products you want regardless of what time you shop with us

Thanks again for your understanding and kindness as we navigate these challenging times together.

Posted 09/04/2020

How to shop safe this Easter

The staff at your local Four Square want to ensure you can shop for your Easter essentials safely. Here are some things you can do to help our stores:

Each store will have different opening hours to meet the needs of their local communities. Please check online to find your local store’s opening hours so you can plan the time of your shop.

Plan what you need before you shop

Getting in and out of the supermarket quickly is important to ensure we all limit contact and stay safe. Make sure you know exactly what you need to buy to make your shop as efficient as possible.

Designate one person to do your shop

To help limit shoppers please send just one person from your ‘bubble’. This means everyone can move freely around the store and maintain a safe distance from fellow shoppers and staff.

Follow physical distancing guidelines

Remember to maintain a two metre physical distance from staff and customers when in store and wait at the designated floor markers when in line to help keep everyone safe.

Be patient and kind

Let’s continue to be patient, kind and considerate towards other shoppers, staff and one another. We know things are taking a little longer, but with your help and kindness we can all get through this together.

From all of us at Four Square,
Happy Easter and kia kaha Aotearoa.

Posted 27/03/2020

Four Square are inviting uniformed emergency services and medical personnel to take priority at the checkout and external queues in any store, at any time nationwide starting today.

Effective immediately at all Four Square stores around New Zealand, any emergency service or medical professional wearing their uniform or carrying DHB, medical centre or proper identification will be given priority to enter the store, should the store have a line, and to go through the checkout line first.

“We know it might be hard for emergency services and medical personnel to do their shop at a fixed time every day,” says Chris Quin, CEO of Foodstuffs North Island. “Our goal is to provide New Zealand’s much needed essential personnel with the opportunity to do their shop whenever they need to and not have to wait in any line. They are making an incredible commitment to keep us safe as we unite to fight against COVID-19 and we are incredibly grateful for their service.”

The offering applies to all Military, Civil Defence, Police, Fire and Emergency, Ambulance, and medical professionals, including DHB personnel, doctors and nurses.

“As New Zealand works together to eliminate COVID-19, our emergency services and medical teams are going to be critical to help New Zealanders stay safe and well,” says Steve Anderson, CEO of Foodstuffs South Island. “We’re proud to be able to do our bit to make their lives easier when we know they’ll be working long and stressful hours. They deserve priority access all day every day, and our essential working staff look forward to serving them.”

Posted 25/03/2020

As we’re sure you’re aware, New Zealand will enter the Alert Level 4 ‘Eliminate’ phase of the National Pandemic Plan at 11.59pm tonight. The team at Four Square would like to provide you with an update on some of the changes that we’re introducing to help keep our customers and staff safe and healthy.

The good news is that our Four Square stores will remain open as the Government has identified supermarkets as one of the essential services during Alert Level 4.

Here are some changes that you’ll see in your Four Square store:

Managed customer numbers in store

Stores will be limiting the number of shoppers in-store at any one time. This is incredibly important to ensure you can move freely around to get your grocery essentials and maintain a safe physical distance away from others.

Reduced number of staff on shop floor

Stores may reduce the number of employees working on the shop floor at any one time. This is to maintain the recommended 2 metre physical distance between individuals. Please respect the appropriate physical distance recommendation as per the Ministry of Health’s guidelines.

Pack your own bags

We’re now requesting that you please pack your own bags, as one of our staff protection measures, but do ask for assistance if this is not possible.

We’d like to help you get through your shopping as safely and quickly as possible – for a full list of all current adjustments to Four Square stores, please visit our website.

And please remember to:

Nominate a family member to shop

We’re asking you to please shop alone. This is to ensure we can keep the number of people in-store at any one time to a minimum.

#shopnormal

Please shop like you normally would and remember there is no need to stockpile. Please only buy what you need and be fair to others who may not have the budget or transportation to stock up. There is enough supply in New Zealand – when products are out of stock on the shelves, it only means there are more on the way to keep up with the sudden increase in purchases.

Be kind

With everything that’s going on in the world it’s important that we continue to be kind and considerate towards other shoppers, staff and one another. Together, we can nail this. Remember, we’ll remain open – Four Square is a core essential service and we are fully dedicated to supporting New Zealand through this.

Posted 23/03/2020

As you will likely be aware Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today that New Zealand has moved to Alert Level 3 of the National Pandemic Plan in order to flatten the curve of COVID-19. These are extraordinary times and if we are to protect our people, extreme measures do need to be taken.

Please be assured that our Four Square stores remain 100% committed to ensuring your grocery needs are met and we are doing everything we can to make this happen.

Supermarkets are one of the essential services, as identified by the government and will remain open and able to meet your needs. Please be aware, the alert Level 3 status will now impact how our stores will operate:

Reduced store hours

Individual stores will determine their own operating hours and may choose to reduce them to be able to restock shelves. Individual stores will make this call based on the needs of their community. Any updates to store hours will be made on this page, please check here to stay across your supermarket's trading hours.

Staff protection measures

You will begin to see various (but not necessarily all) staff protection measures in place at your local store including staff wearing masks, protective screens at checkout and floor decals communicating the appropriate 2.0m physical distancing length. We ask you to please comply with store signage and staff direction to maintain physical distancing.

Community shopping hours

We’re in communication with elderly support groups and they have told us specific shopping hours aren’t what they are looking for, it is also not aligned with Ministry of Health guidance for the over 70s to stay at home. The most important message here is for you to #shopnormal, so there is product on the shelves for the elderly when friends and relatives are shopping for them.

Nominate a family member to shop

To comply with physical distancing recommendations and to ensure there is a steady flow of traffic in and out of stores within our ‘one in, one out’ system, we are asking you to please shop alone when coming into your local store. This is to ensure the number of people in-store at any one time is kept to a minimum – by leaving your loved ones at home you are helping keep them safe.

Contactless payments

We encourage customers to use contactless payments as another way of reducing contact between customers and staff. Help us keep you safe.

#shopnormal

Please don't stockpile. This is so everyone has an opportunity to buy their grocery essentials. Please buy what you need and be fair and kind to others.

Be kind

We are asking you to please support us as we work hard to continue meeting our goal of ensuring everyone has access to grocery essentials. We ask that everyone please remains patient and considerate to each other and staff during this time.

We’ll continue to be there for you during this hard time. Please be patient, considerate and kind and we’ll get through this together.

Posted 22/03/2020

Our stores remain 100% committed to ensuring New Zealanders have their grocery needs met and we are doing everything we can to make this happen.

Supermarkets are one of the essential services Government has identified and will remain open and able to meet the needs of New Zealanders. Our store staff, suppliers, truck drivers, warehouses, customer service and support personnel are critical to helping New Zealand unite against COVID-19. We are extremely grateful to the fact our teams are continuing to work tirelessly to meet New Zealand’s needs at this time, without their ongoing dedication we simply couldn’t make it happen for you, they are the mainstay of what we do. But please be assured, we will continue serving New Zealand and meeting Kiwi’s everyday grocery needs. We are a business where every store is locally owned, and each store is making the best decisions every day for their community as this situation unfolds.

But we do want to ask our communities to support us as we work hard to achieve this. Please remain patient and considerate to each other and our staff during this time – our people are placing feeding New Zealand ahead of their own personal needs and we are incredibly grateful for their selfless commitment.

Please #shopnormal and we will do all we can to support you.

Kia kaha New Zealand.

Posted 19/03/2020

A message from New Zealand's supermarkets:

Kia ora New Zealand

We understand this is a very uncertain time for our country. We’re all concerned about the health and safety of our family, friends and communities.

And we know that access to safe, quality food and groceries is essential to our health and peace of mind.

We want to help alleviate some of the uncertainty many of us are feeling by letting you know that when it comes to food and groceries, we’ve got you covered.

New Zealand grows and makes some of the best food in the world (in our humble opinion), and our distribution centres and store teams are going above and beyond to make sure we’ve got plenty of it available on our shelves. But, we need your help:

Shop like you normally would

Buying more than you need means others go without. Be considerate and avoid stockpiling. By all means pick up a couple of extra things in your shop, but there is no need to stock up for weeks in advance.

Shop in our stores

They are safe. While we’ve always had very thorough cleaning, hygiene and food safety processes in our stores, we’ve increased these measures even further to help keep our team and our communities safe and well.

Look out for each other

In times of uncertainty a little kindness goes a long way. Please be kind to fellow shoppers and to our store, supply chain and call centre teams, who are working around the clock to keep shelves stocked and your needs met. They’re our heroes.

Feeding our communities is our No.1 priority and if we all work together, and take care of each other, we can make sure there’s plenty for everyone.

Thanks New Zealand - with your support, we’ve got this.

Posted 17/03/2020

We’d like to assure our customers that Four Square has a strong plan in place around COVID-19 which includes keeping our people and customers safe – our focus is very much on ensuring New Zealanders have the essential products they require and we are working with our suppliers to make this happen every day.

At store and throughout the supply chain, staff are across all health and safety protocols as advised by health authorities to keep themselves and customers safe. This includes cleaning and disinfecting measures which are in place across all stores and are aligned with food safety practices.

We’re working with our stores and cleaning service providers to provide additional sanitising facilities for customers which include wipes for cleaning trolley handles and hand sanitiser dispensing units which will be placed strategically around stores. Many stores already have these units in place and our service provider is actively working with remaining stores to get the facilities in place.

We would like to stress that none of these measures are being used to replace good hand washing techniques and personal care as advised by the Ministry of Health – the health measures outlined by the Ministry are the best way for the public to protect themselves. These measures can be found here.

We remind customers to please shop as you normally would. Whilst in store you may see some limits on lines of products – this is to ensure that there is enough for everyone.

We’re grateful for your cooperation and will keep you informed if the situation changes. We recognise that these are unsettling times, and we want you to know that the safety of our customers and staff are our priority.

As you can appreciate we are currently receiving unprecedented high volumes of calls and emails from our customers so we ask that you please refrain from contacting us unless it’s urgent – thanks for your patience and understanding.

Four Square and Dick Frizzell team up to support New Zealand charities

Four Square and New Zealand artist Dick Frizzell have joined forces to produce a limited-edition artwork print, with all profits of the prints going towards supporting New Zealand charities.

There are three New Zealand charities customers can choose from to support when they purchase an artwork print – KiwiHarvest, Lifeline and Women’s Refuge.

“Four Square’s DNA is by locals for locals, and we have a responsibility to look after all New Zealanders and our communities, especially during this challenging time,” says Kamran Kazalbash, Head of Marketing and CX for Four Square. “We collaborated with Dick to identify how we could support local charities who are experiencing an increase in demand due to COVID-19.

KiwiHarvest, Lifeline and Women’s Refuge are incredible charities who have a presence in every community across the country. We’re giving customers the option to choose which charity they would like to support so they can have a positive and direct impact on a charitable cause that is close to their heart.”

The limited-edition artwork print, in true Dick Frizzell style, features Mr. Four Square and his family, reminding New Zealand to stand together in solidarity during an unprecedented time. Mrs. Four Square and their two children are rarely featured publicly and are reprising their roles to complete the Four Square family. Every artwork print is also hand-signed by Dick.

“Dick’s artistry is synonymous with New Zealand culture, and Four Square has been an integral part of New Zealand culture for almost 96 years,” says Kazalbash. “Supporting one another, especially our most in-need individuals and communities, is the New Zealand way and we’re proud to be able to help in any way we can.”

“Four Square has transcended from being your local supermarket into something much bigger in our cultural narrative,” says Dick Frizzell. “I’ve been painting Mr Four Square for decades, and he’s always been a Kiwiana symbol of nostalgia and local pride. It makes sense to bring him out during this time and remind New Zealanders that once was will be again, and there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.”

The limited-edition artwork print costs $99, including delivery, and can be purchased here.

How will the continuation of the current situation at Alert Level impact physical distancing?

We are asking all customers nationwide, to adhere to physical distancing in our stores. This move is one New Zealanders will be familiar with from our previous time spent in lockdown. Customers will also see the return of physical distancing signage including posters and floor decals advising of the 2m physical distancing requirements. It’s important all customers maintain 2m physical distancing when shopping to keep both themselves and our teams safe.

Will you be restricting customer numbers in stores?

The move to Level 2 means that all New Zealanders must maintain the appropriate physical distancing measure of 2m when shopping in store. This means stores will be limiting the number of customers allowed in-store at any given time.

Customers have grown accustomed to the Perspex screens at checkout and readily available trolley wipes and hand sanitizer in store. We encourage customers to use the sanitising options available, and to remain vigilant with their hand washing routines as this is the best line of defense against Covid-19.

Can I shop with my family?

Please be mindful that when you shop with multiple members of your household when you don’t need to, you’re preventing other customers from entering the store and contributing to longer queue times. Stores are trying hard to keep queues short as they know queuing outside in winter can be cold and wet for customers which is less than ideal.

Are you increasing your cleaning protocols to keep staff and customers safe?

We have already reinstated safety and cleaning measures in all stores nationwide which includes increased sanitisation of high touch areas including checkout belts, EFTPOS terminals, self-checkouts and trolleys.

Are customers allowed to bring their own reusable bags into stores?

Please check with your local store if they still have bag packers at checkout as this may vary across the country. We are asking all customers to please be prepared to pack their own groceries in the event their store has paused this service.

Customers who live in the South Island are welcome to continue shopping with their reusable bags.

What is your stock situation for in-demand products?

We have an incredibly robust supply chain and we are well-versed in dealing with spikes of product demand. We have ample stock of in-demand products and continue to encourage customers to shop normally. Stockpiling puts unnecessary stress on the supply chain and takes essential products away from others – we ask customers resist the urge and #shopnormal.

What is your current mask supply situation?

We’ve been preparing for this since the last lockdown and nationwide, we have more than 8 million masks in our supply chain. Our teams are working tirelessly to get these through the system and onto store shelves for customers. If your store is low or out of mask supply, please rest assured that more stock is on the way – it’s simply making its way through. As always, we encourage customers to shop normally and only buy what they need, as they need it.

Will you be imposing product limitations on certain products?

We have an incredibly robust supply chain and our teams are working tirelessly to ensure a steady flow of product into stores around the country.

Before heading to the supermarket, we’re asking all customers to take a look in their pantry first – if it is still well stocked, please only buy what you need. By shopping normally, you are doing your part to help New Zealand fight Covid-19. Our store teams are doing their part by keeping shelves stocked, and we are introducing product limits for some in demand products in an effort to make sure there is plenty to go around.

Product limitations will vary by store. Please only buy what you need, as you need it. It’s important we continue to #shopnormal as this helps keep shelves stocked and ensures all New Zealanders can get the essentials they need.

Will your stores display the NZ Covid Tracer app? Are you requiring customers to scan before entering stores?

All stores across the country will have the NZ Covid Tracer app poster displayed at store entrances. We are encouraging all customers, no matter where they live or which store they visit, to please scan the QR code on the poster and follow the prompts to register. This is to keep you, other customers and staff safe in the event the Ministry of Health needs to implement contact tracing.

Are you requiring customers to wear masks in store?

In line with the Government’s direction, individuals living in Auckland are highly encouraged to cover their nose and mouth with a face covering when outside of their home. Therefore, we're asking all customers who live in the Auckland region and who come into store to please wear a face mask or cover their mouth and nose with a face covering.

As guided by the Government, individuals living outside of the greater Auckland region are not required to wear face masks.

Our stores have good supply of face masks, but if your local store is currently out of stock, rest assured more stock is on its way and please consider the Government’s advice of fashioning your own face mask in the meantime.

Are you requiring your staff to wear masks or other PPE?

The protective measures in place across our stores align with the Government’s Covid-19 health and safety guidance. This includes physical distancing measures, Perspex screens, increased sanitisation and cleaning protocols, managing customer numbers in store, and displaying the NZ Covid Tracer QR Code for customers to scan in the event contract tracing is necessary.

All of these measures are in place to keep people safe and to reduce contact. We have ample PPE stock for staff, which is readily available to them if they choose to wear it for their peace of mind.

Are you reinstating your emergency worker prioritization?

At this stage we have not reinstated priority access for emergency workers. We will review our position on this over the coming days.

Is Lotto still available?

Yes, store Lotto counters are still open, but we ask all customers to please be mindful and adhere to physical distancing measures.

How are you verifying identity for age restricted items? Are you asking customers to remove their masks if they are purchasing restricted items?

We are required by law to verify age for restricted items. This includes checking that the identification presented to purchase the items belongs to the customer present.

If a customer is wearing a mask, and staff cannot verify their identification, then we will ask the customer to briefly remove their mask so we can verify their identity. If a customer is unable or unwilling to remove their mask, then unfortunately staff may have to decline the sale.