Supermarket's early opening times for pensioners

caveman38

Would anybody know what foe example is the age to qualify for the early hour at Sainsburys. Would it be drawing a pension or over 70?

maman

I think it's intended mainly for over 70s but I doubt you'd be asked for a birth certificate. The sign at a local Iceland said it was open to OAPs so that would potentially be younger than 70.

sarah1972

This Friday, don't shop before 9am...

Dear Customer,  Since I last wrote to you, it has become increasingly clear to us that we must help to shield the most vulnerable in our communities from this virus.  We want to do all we can to support this effort and so have made the decision that on Friday 20th March, from store opening until 9am, we are going to make our larger stores available for those vulnerable people – and those caring for them, to let them shop and get what they need.    So – if you're in a vulnerable group and need to get your shopping – or are caring for someone in a vulnerable group, we'll do everything we can to support you in stores on Friday morning before 9am. You can find out the opening time of your local store byclicking here.    To our other customers, please help us do this by leaving your shopping until later in the day. We're doing everything we can to keep our shelves stocked and our deliveries coming – and our colleagues are doing an amazing job working around the clock to support you. You can stay up to date on our actions here. Please let us help you – together, we can look after each other during these challenging times.  Take care, and I will continue to keep you up to date on everything we're working to do for you and your community.  Roger

roddydogs

Yes, but the shelves are still empty of the stuff we want!

sarah1972

roddydogs said:

Yes, but the shelves are still empty of the stuff we want!

I went to my local Sainsburys yesterday and yes, the canned foods shelf was empty but they were packed with fresh veg and meat. 

billy2shots

The supermarket chains are doing a good thing but it’s still a struggle. 

We have two care homes supporting 16 people with LD, challenging behaviour and autism. All are physical in the ‘vulnerable ‘ group. 
It is getting harder and harder to shop for them. A lot of my time is devoted into going from shop to shop rather than preparation for an outbreak within the home. 

These early opening times times won’t help me as I will be turned away at the door. 

The last couple of days days I have been hammering my local council demanded health and social care workers are given something that identifies us so we can shop. Hell in the next few weeks we might need something to prove we need to be on the road if there’s a lockdown. 

DCFC79

roddydogs said:

Yes, but the shelves are still empty of the stuff we want!

If planned properly, the stores management should make sure some stock is kept back for the vulnerable to buy.

roddydogs

Too late its all gone.

Pollycat

How do they tell who is in the 'vulnerable' group?

sarah1972

roddydogs said:

Too late its all gone.

Not everywhere it isn't, my local is full of meat and fresh food. The idea is that the supermarkets stock the shelves after closing and the elderly and vunerable get a better chance of getting what they need before everyone else comes in and grabs for the sake of bulk buying and greed.

20aday

I must admit nothing much surprises me these days but I work in a supermarket and, at 6am this morning, I've never seen anything like it, not even at Christmas.
If some of these people who might be deemed selfish/greedy could see the impact they have on the elderly and vulnerable when they come in later on in the morning to get the basics, and can't, then I would hope they'd think twice.