Tag: retail

Coronavirus: Morrisons introduces new measures

Morrisons has set out a number of measures to support colleagues and customers during the Coronavirus outbreak.

As a British family business, Morrisons will do its bit during the emergency and today sets out a plan to protect and help colleagues and expand home delivery to many more households at a time of national need. In doing so, Morrisons will create an extra 3,500 jobs.

These measures follow on from Morrisons announcement last week that it would be implementing immediate payments for its smaller suppliers, supporting their cashflow during this very difficult time for the British economy.

The key elements of the plan announced yesterday are:

  • Colleague hardship fund – to support colleagues who are in financial difficulty as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak we will create a colleague hardship fund. Colleagues will be able to apply for funds if they experience a financial setback and are struggling to make ends meet.
  • Helping colleagues – Morrisons colleagues are very highly valued and the company is introducing the following measures if they are affected:
    * Those who are sick with the Coronavirus will receive sick pay whether or not they would normally be eligible.
    * Colleagues who are affected either because of self isolation, or by playing their part in looking after close family members or the vulnerable in their local community, will also be eligible for sick pay, alternative shifts or holiday.
  • Protecting colleagues – Morrisons will protect highly valued colleagues by:
    * Asking customers at the checkout to pay, if possible, by card or smartphone to reduce cash handling.
    * Issuing hand sanitiser to checkouts at all stores and significantly increasing cleaning on places that colleagues and customers touch.
    * Redeploying colleagues who are vulnerable to the virus, where possible.
  • Expanding home delivery – Morrisons is to introduce new ways of delivering groceries and more slots for customers, which will also help vulnerable people and those affected by the virus. New measures include:
    * Launching a new range of simple-to-order food parcels, including options for vegetarians, from March 23rd.
    * Making more delivery slots available to customers both through Morrisons.com and the Morrisons Store on Amazon Prime Now. Morrisons will use 100 further stores to pick customers’ shopping over the coming weeks.
    * Launching a customer call centre for orders to be taken over the phone so that people who do not shop online can still order food.
    * To support the roll-out of these expanded home delivery methods, Morrisons will be recruiting around 2,500 pickers and drivers.
  • New Jobs – The outbreak of coronavirus will affect businesses across the UK and Morrisons will be offering jobs to people that are impacted. In addition to around 2,500 pickers and drivers to expand home delivery, Morrisons will be recruiting around 1,000 people to work in the company’s distribution centres. The vacancies will be advertised through a campaign on radio and social media and the Morrisons jobs website morrisons.jobs

David Potts, Chief Executive of Morrisons, said: “We expect the days, weeks and months ahead to be very testing and we are determined to do our bit.

“These measures will support our very hard-working colleagues, enable us to provide more food to more people in their homes and create opportunities for people whose jobs are affected by the coronavirus.”

Surviving the January sales

New Year bargain hunters have been given 11 top tips for grabbing the best deals in the sales.

Making a list before hitting the shops, using cash instead of cards and shopping on a full tummy are among the tips from the shopping experts at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk.

They say by following a few simple rules shoppers could grab some great deals, but a few false moves and those bargains may not look quite so good later in the day.

Simple tips like planning ahead, questioning whether the item is really needed and taking regular stops to refuel are among the advice given.

A spokesperson from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “Keeping a clear head when shopping is important so you don’t get sucked into fake bargains.

“You want to make sure your shopping trip is enjoyable and satisfying, there’s nothing worse than coming home feeling exhausted, regretting your buys and broke after a long day.

“Many shoppers don’t end up coming home with exactly what they set out to get, so we’ve compiled a list of the best tips for a smooth, satisfying shopping experience so that you can enjoy the New Year’s sales and grab yourself some real bargains.”

Here are NetVoucherCodes.co.uk top sales shopping tips:

1. Check opening times

Before you head off sales shopping, check the opening times. Some stores open much earlier than others. Leave it until mid-morning and you may miss the best of the bargains.

2. Cash NOT card

Avoid using debit or credit cards – it’s far too easy to get carried away with them. Instead, withdraw a maximum spending value in cash. This is more likely to curb spending and help you avoid impulse buying.

3. Fill up

Make sure you have a decent breakfast before you head out shopping so you’re full of energy and ready to make a strong start. Make sure you refuel throughout the day.

4. Use public transport

Rather than battle for a parking space, take the train or bus when you head out shopping. It’ll be cheaper, easier and you won’t have the stress of fighting the crowds to get a space.

5. Do I really need it?

Before you buy, question whether you really need the item. It may have 50% off but if it’s just going to sit in a cupboard or in your wardrobe, then it’s a complete waste of money.

6. Make a plan of attack

There’s nothing wrong with doing a little forward planning to help save time and stress. Make a wish list of what you really want by having a browse online.

7. Bag up

Take plenty of big sturdy bags to help you carry your shopping load. There’s nothing worse than having lots of small plastic bag handles cutting into your forearms and fingers all day.

8. Don’t worry about other shoppers

Don’t get carried away with the crowds, if you have your goals in mind – ensure you stay on track, otherwise you may end up not finishing what you set out to do before closing time.

9. Have a breather

Take regular breaks to collect yourself, stay fed and hydrated and use these little stops to remind yourself of your wish list.

10. Learn the returns

Make sure you have a handle on the returns policy and check if you can return before you purchase.

11. Don’t get roped in

Sales are a great opportunity for many shops to rope customers into signing up to sneaky credit card schemes. These encourage over-spending and what they don’t tell you is that you’ll still be paying for the items months after buying them. THINK before you sign.

Scottish Retail Consortium and Usdaw unite to discuss the state of Scotland’s high streets

Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has met with the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) to discuss the ongoing and growing crisis on Scotland’s high streets. Both organisations agreed that there is an urgent need for government action and an industrial strategy for retail. Continue reading Scottish Retail Consortium and Usdaw unite to discuss the state of Scotland’s high streets

Bright Lights at Fort Kinnaird

A group of Edinburgh and Lothian residents were congratulated by Lord Provost Frank Ross, Fort Kinnaird centre director Liam Smith and Recruitment and Skills Centre Business Development Manager John Gibson, after completing a five-week training course to help build a career in retail. Continue reading Bright Lights at Fort Kinnaird

Ne’er Day campaign escalates as Usdaw makes the case for closing large shops on 1 January

Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has published the results of an extensive survey of Scottish retail staff, who overwhelmingly back the closure of large shops on New Year’s Day, and is calling on all MSPs to support the motion tabled by Jackie Baillie MSP in the Scottish Parliament.

Usdaw’s survey of over 1,000 shopworkers in Scotland found that:

  • Three quarters feel they spend too little time with friends and family over New Year.
  • 72% have come under pressure to work on New Year’s Day or 2 January.
  • Four in ten don’t receive any premium pay for working on New Year’s Day.
  • 79% are not happy to work on New Year’s Day or 2 January.

The full survey results can be viewed at: www.usdaw.org.uk/NYDSurvey

Stewart Forrest, Usdaw’s Scottish Divisional Officer says: “This survey clearly demonstrates the strength feeling among our members. We have today written to all MSPs asking them to support Jackie Baillie’s motion calling for a decent break at New Year after the busy Christmas period.

“I have also written to the Scottish Retail Consortium urging them to reconsider their opposition to large stores closing on New Year’s Day. Usdaw does not accept that giving retail workers in large stores just one more day of guaranteed time off would have a negative impact on our high streets. 72% of our members who worked on New Year’s Day 2019 said that their store was either very quiet or fairly quiet.

“Usdaw is fully supportive of efforts to revitalise Scotland’s high streets. The livelihoods of our members depend on a thriving retail sector. That is why we are calling on the Government to implement an industrial strategy for retail and to take action on a whole range of issues, from business rates to parking charges and public transport, in order to breathe life back into the industry. We are seeking to work with the Scottish Retail Consortium, so we can tackle these issues together.”

Jackie Baillie MSP, (Scottish Labour, Dumbarton) said: “Retail staff work incredibly hard all year round, and are often on their feet for long shifts. Christmas and New Year is a time which should be spent with family, and there are few days in the year when families are off at the same time.

“The results of Usdaw’s survey show that the overwhelming majority of respondents want to spend more time with their families during Christmas and New Year.

“I hope that all of my MSP colleagues will recognise that everyone deserves a day off for New Year and will support the motion that I have tabled in the Scottish Parliament.”

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, said: “We are very grateful to Jackie Baillie MSP for the support she is giving to our members and this campaign. New Year is a special holiday in Scotland, but this is not reflected in the experience of many retail workers.

“Under the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Trading (Scotland) Act 2007, Scottish Ministers may, by statutory instrument, ban large shops from opening on New Year’s Day, subject to consultation.

“On behalf of Scotland’s retail workers, we are urging the Scottish Government to open that consultation and for MSPs to listen to shopworkers concerns about their work/life balance.”

Hotel Chocolat open at Fort Kinnaird

Fort Kinnaird has given shoppers a very tasty treat with the opening of its brand-new Hotel Chocolat store.

The new shop, the 160th that the luxury British chocolatier and cacao grower has opened in the UK this year, houses more than 80 different ranges of the finest chocolate including its famous slabs, boxes and hampers. Continue reading Hotel Chocolat open at Fort Kinnaird