SA supermarkets offering extended trading; bottle-shops, hardware stores open
Some SA supermarkets have extended trading hours to support customers to shop safely during the six-day COVID-19 lockdown.
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Woolworths has extended its trading hours and is bringing in additional delivery trucks from interstate to ramp up online capacity for local customers.
It is also urging elderly customers, people with a disability, those with compromised immunity and people in mandatory self-isolation to register for its priority assistance service.
From November 21-December 6, Woolworths stores will trade from 7am to 8pm on Saturdays, 9am to 8pm on Sundays. Woolworths Supermarkets SA general manager Karl Weber said extra trading hours over the next two weekends will help support physical distancing on its busiest days.
Coles said it was “working through” to decide on trading hours at the time of publishing.
Meanwhile, Bunnings stores will be open for trade customers and offering contactless drive and collect to retail customers for products to keep homes and gardens safe and important repairs and maintenance.
Bunnings managing director Mike Schneider said the hardware chain supported more than 50,000 small businesses. No delivery is available, but items can be purchased online and picked up from car parks.
Drakes Supermarkets director John-Paul Drake said its only change in trading is to open from 9am on Sundays, for those stores who would normally open at 11am.
More information can be accessed on its website with store managers also having discretion to remain open for customers if they feel it is necessary.
“Things are much calmer and we’re definitely not seeing the crazy scenes from Wednesday,” Mr Drake said.
“Our only limitations are on bread at this stage as our suppliers need some time to catch up with the demand, with no limits across other products. There’s plenty of stock available.”
Foodland Supermarkets said each store will vary its opening hours to respond to its local community and demand. Purchasing limits have been introduced.
Industry body South Australian Independent Retailers – represented by the owners of Foodland, IGA and Friendly Grocer independent supermarket businesses – said there was no need for extended hours.
The change in trading hours came after Treasurer Rob Lucas on Wednesday night gave retailers a 14-day exemption to “help support vital physical distancing measures”.
Bottle shops will also trade through the period, with SA’s chief public health officer Dr Nicola Spurrier on Thursday defending the decision as a “clinical call”.
“Unfortunately we do have a lot of people in Australia and in South Australia that have a serious alcohol addiction.”
“And talking to our drug and alcohol clinician we can’t go for too long without letting people have access to that,” she said.
Long queues and empty shelves in supermarkets signalled panic buying by a worried SA community on Wednesday as businesses across the board prepared for a six-day shutdown of the economy.
Despite SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens’ pleas – and warnings officers would be ready to head to supermarkets if needed – shoppers began queuing up midway through the press conference, with some rushing away from work to grab supplies.
Supermarkets have also imposed limits on certain products to ensure “fair access” to food and essentials.
Coles and Woolworths introduced limits on key products including rice, toilet papers, flour, pasta and sugar.
The Village Baker co-founder Tracy Sachse on Wednesday, said her Burnside Village and Black Forest bakeries sold out of goods within hours: “We couldn’t pack our food fast enough. It was like a war had been announced.”
Under the six-day restrictions, supermarkets will remain open for once a day shopping by one member of each household.
A shopper at Coles Grote Street, who would rather remain anonymous, said she “left work immediately” after hearing the announcement, even though shops are still open for the next six days.
“I heard the news and ran away from my desk up the road because I knew it would be chaos after work,” she said.
The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA) secretary Josh Peak says the public needs to heed the advice of health officials and not expose retail workers to any risk.
Lines outside @Coles for midday entry stretched outside the shopping centre at #Greenacres. Everyone rushing to get supplies before the six-day lockdown. Prof Spurrier has urged people to not panic buy, there is enough to go around for all. @theTiser pic.twitter.com/mBTH6GOWKl
— Patrick James (@PatJamesTiser) November 18, 2020
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