News
Countdown has temporarily changed its opening hours nationwide and introduced limits on products that are in high demand, to help ease pressure on its store teams as the country responds to changes in COVID-19 Alert Levels. The company’s Priority Assistance online shopping service for vulnerable customers has also been reinstated today.
Countdown’s General Manager Corporate Affairs, Safety and Sustainability, Kiri Hannifin, says Countdown is in a very good position to navigate the alert level changes and customers should feel safe in its stores.
“Our previous lockdown experience has stood us in good stead. We know that our processes are robust, our supply chain is strong, we can keep Kiwis safe, and we have plenty of food for everyone. We hope this provides Kiwis with reassurance that together, we can deal with different lockdown scenarios again.
“We’d urge customers to consider others when they are shopping in our stores. Whether that’s physically distancing themselves from other shoppers, making sure they’re only buying what they need, and of course being kind to our team and fellow customers,” says Kiri Hannifin.
Today Countdown has introduced the following:
Store hours:
All Countdown stores throughout New Zealand will close at 9pm tonight and re-open at 8am tomorrow, with these new hours (8am – 9pm) in place until further notice.
Product limits:
Limits are in place for a number of products that were particularly impacted when the country went into lockdown in March. From today there is a limit of three on the following categories:
Flour
Rice
Dry Pasta
Canned Baked Beans and Spaghetti
UHT Milk
Frozen Vegetables
Toilet Paper
Paper Towel
Personal Wash
Hand Sanitiser
Paracetamol
Household Cleaner
Period Products
Baby Formula
A limit of six has been put on wine and beer and a limit of one pack per customer has been put on all mask products.
Priority Assistance online shopping service –
As with March and April, Countdown has seen significant volume to its online shopping sites over the last day. To help make sure we can get groceries to those New Zealanders who are unable visit their local store and considered at risk from COVID-19, we have re-started our Priority Assistance service.
Customers who were previously approved for this service will already automatically have access to priority online delivery slots. New customers may be able to apply for Priority Assistance from tomorrow. (Thurs)
Kiri Hannifin, says the news about four COVID cases in Auckland is obviously concerning for all of us as Kiwis, but we are well practiced in what needs to be done in our stores to keep our team and our customers safe.
She says “We echo the Prime Minister’s comments that there is no need at all for anyone to stock up – we have plenty of food and supplies for everyone and we want everyone to shop as they usually would and consider others.”
Ms Hannifin says “We have done this before and we can do it again – look out for each other, be kind and stay safe.”