The Shoprite Group is eager to see a rapid vaccine roll-out programme and continues to actively engage with the Department of Health regarding phases 1, 2 and 3, including the final rollout to the general population.

The Group is ideally positioned - with an established, efficient and expanded logistical and pharmaceutical distribution network in place - to assist the South African Government with the distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines to save lives and aid the country on its road to economic recovery.

As the country’s largest private employer, the Group wants to see vaccination of its frontline workers (which includes cashiers, merchandisers and line management retail workers) - who have been working tirelessly to ensure food supply to the over 20 million customers the retailer serves every month - prioritised. The Group believes it is critical for its employees to be vaccinated and that the focus should be on reaching herd immunity.

MediRite, the Group’s chain of pharmacies, is working with the Department of Health to facilitate the effective and rapid rollout of phase 1b (vaccination of non-patient facing healthcare workers) of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. Phase 1b requires the significant scaling up of facilities across the country, both in number and geographic distribution, to ensure the country’s healthcare workers are vaccinated as quickly as possible.

MediRite’s current community pharmacies are well placed to become COVID-19 vaccination sites: they are easily accessible to customers across all income levels and already set up and equipped with the necessary facilities and employees to administer the vaccines.

Healthcare workers are expected to be allocated to 50 MediRite priority sites across the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng for phase 1b of the vaccine roll-roll. These sites have been accepted by the Department of Health and are currently being scaled up to ensure maximum functionality, and are located in urban areas as well as underserved, rural areas such as Manguzi, Barberton, Butterworth and Kuruman.

The identified sites are easily reachable: healthcare workers allocated to a MediRite site will on average need to travel no further than a distance of around 10km to receive their vaccine. A geo mapping of the entire country is currently in progress. Once the gaps have been identified, MediRite may make more facilities available in the event that it has suitable sites in the required areas.

MediRite’s frontline health workers are already included in the first phase of the Government's roll-out programme and essential retail workers have been identified to receive COVID-19 vaccines during phase 2, once new roll-out timelines are set. 

 

 

“We are truly grateful for the hard work, dedication and ongoing efforts that our great team has made as frontline workers in the pandemic and we look forward to them being prioritised as the COVID-19 vaccine programme rolls out.”

– Pieter Engelbrecht, CEO of the Shoprite Group

Following the World Health Organization's guidelines, the South African Government remains the sole central procurer and distributor of COVID-19 vaccines in the country; and vaccine allocations will be according to its identified vaccine roll-out programme.  

Since the start of the pandemic, the Group has done whatever is in its power to help combat the spread of the virus and assist those in need. Please see some of the activities highlighted below as we stand united in support of our employees, communities and business - all working together to end this pandemic. 

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Supporting our communities

How we responded

Read our COVID-19 special report section in the 2020 Integrated Annual Report

Frequently Asked Questions


Our people Hygiene Communities Stock In-store Online Computicket


Our People

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How are you supporting your employees?

  • Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, the Group has acted proactively to safeguard its employees and customers to the extent that it is within our power to do so.
  • Various measures have been implemented including daily temperature testing when employees arrive at work; dispatching mobile clinics for referrals; rolling out plastic face shields and fabric masks to employees; and maintaining stringent hygiene and sanitising protocols across all our operations. 
  • Proactive screening has assisted the Group to identify possible cases through early detection. 
  • One of the various measures in place is temperature testing of each and every employee upon arrival at work. 
  • Employees of merchandising, security and cleaning companies also undergo temperature scanning.
  • Anybody with a temperature higher than 37.5°C is immediately referred to one of the Group’s mobile clinics for further consultation. 
  • Where a mobile clinic isn’t available close by, employees are referred to the nearest clinic.
  • Independent health practitioners are employed in our 36 mobile clinics and do the consultation and referrals. This is known as the screening process.
  • The NICD regularly updates their criteria and case definition for persons under investigation (PUI) and the NICD have advised that people will be tested only if they meet the PUI criteria, which includes having symptoms of a respiratory illness of recent or sudden onset. 
  • The NICD advises that any individual with health concerns should contact their local health facility, the government hotline or the NICD to further guide their actions and advise on testing processes if required, which may be done through the public or private sectors.
  • If needed, employees who meet the case definition provided by the NICD are referred for a further health examination, as per guiding protocol. 
  • Government has advised that testing is not done routinely unless indicated by a health professional. 
  • For more on testing processes and requirements, please read more on the information provided by the NICD here.
  • The moment a positive case is confirmed, the Group always voluntarily closes a store without waiting for authorities’ instruction to do so, taking into consideration when last an employee was at work.
  • The Department of Environmental Health, Department of Health and Department of Labour are informed.
  • Those who had close contact with the person who tested positively are required to self-quarantine.
  • Employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who had close contact with those affected, are remunerated according to the company’s special COVID-19 leave policy as well as the regulations contained in COIDA and TERS.
  • A professional decontamination company is brought in to sanitise and deep clean the store and the store is reopened in consultation with the Provincial Department of Health. 
  • Our actions are directed by the guidelines and advisory updates provided by the NICD and we continuously consult with the Department of Health which guides our actions.
  • The NICD, which works closely with the Department of Health, is responsible for COVID-19 contact tracing, monitoring, testing, management and communication throughout the country.
  • To protect employees’ privacy, the Group is not able to provide more detailed information with regard to specific cases and it appeals to all to understand and respect patient confidentiality governed by law. 
  • The responsibility to stop this virus lies with all of us; businesses, employees and customers all have a role to play. 
  • All employees have access to a 24-hour helpline that offers guidance and information on health, wellbeing and trauma to employees and their immediate families.
  • Hand sanitiser for personal use was issued to all employees and store employees are served a free hot meal daily.
  • Shop floor and distribution centre employees received a share of a one-off R102 million appreciation bonus for their tireless efforts.
  • Numerous communication channels are used to inform and educate all employees about how the virus can be stopped.
  • These include the simple steps of handwashing, no touching of the face, social distancing and more. 
  • Posters and Radio Retail (an in-store broadcast channel) is used to simultaneously share these messages with millions of customers.
  • Social distancing is encouraged and, where possible, the work-from-home policy is being strictly enforced with meetings taking place via Hangouts, video or teleconferencing and not in person.
  • All employees were provided with personal protective equipment in the form of a plastic face shield which is sanitised at regular intervals.
  • Following the updated Disaster Management Act regulations published on 29 April, the Group issued each employee with two fabric masks free-of-charge as part of their uniform.
  • The 340 000 fabric face masks were made in South Africa in support of the local textile industry.
  • The WHO maintains that regular handwashing offers more protection than wearing rubber gloves.
  • While gloves can protect hands from coming into contact with the liquid droplets from the virus, the droplets will still stay on the gloves. This increases the risk of catching the virus as people may touch their face or food with their gloves, and risk passing it on to others.

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What measures are in place to protect customers?

  • Strict hygiene and safety measures are in place to help protect customers as far as possible.
  • Customers are asked to make use of the disinfectant spray bottles when entering stores and at till points. 
  • Sani wipes are provided at store entrances for use on hands and trolley and basket handles.
  • The Group also requests customers to follow the simple steps to help stop the spread of the virus by washing hands regularly, not touching faces, covering coughs and sneezes, wearing a fabric face mask or covering, and respecting social distancing rules (also when queuing for grants).
  • A public appeal was issued not to stockpile and to buy only what is needed, so that others are not left without much-needed items. 
  • The Group is working closely with supplier companies to continue to stock shelves as millions on the African continent rely on the Group to have food items and basic necessities available.
  • Demand for certain products remains high and rationing the sale thereof is still necessary. This includes toilet paper, tissues, wipes, liquid soap, hand sanitiser as well as some tinned foods, cereals, antiseptic disinfectant liquids, medicines and vitamins.
  • Shoprite and Checkers have prioritised quick entry and speedy checkout for all healthcare and law enforcement personnel who are tirelessly serving the nation on the frontline amid the coronavirus crisis. (The same is done for the elderly and disabled persons and was introduced during grant payout days.)
  • Branch managers will identify healthcare and law enforcement personnel in uniform to grant them quick entry into stores. Individuals are also welcome to present their identification to security at the store entrance.
  • Security staff monitor the number of customers that enter stores.
  • Entry is limited where necessary based on the store’s floor space and the specific number of customers and employees inside the premises given the space available, while maintaining the required social distancing (all store sizes differ in size).
  • In line with regulations, it is compulsory for customers to wear a cloth face mask or other covering for the mouth and nose.
  • The Group will be doing its very best to facilitate social grant payments quickly and efficiently while protecting the wellbeing of both customers and employees.
    • Customers queuing for grant payouts will be requested to maintain the required social distance of 1.5 metres.
    • Where available, chairs for pensioners will be placed 1.5 metres apart.
    • Throughout the day, security will walk up and down the queue outside the store and offer to spray customers’ hands with disinfectant.
    • Security will permit only 10 people into a store at a time, and will again offer to spray their hands with disinfectant upon entry.

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Are there measures in place for suppliers?

  • Suppliers have been requested to ensure that safety and hygiene standards are maintained at their sites and when visiting any of the Group’s stores, warehouses or office buildings.
  • Steps have also been taken to reduce the risk of contact when deliveries are made.

 

Hygiene

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What are you doing to ensure personal hygiene?

  • The importance of strict hygiene and handwashing procedures, as well as the clean-as-you-go principle (where surfaces are constantly cleaned and disinfected while working) are reinforced with all store personnel.
  • In addition to the sani wipes provided at each store entrance for use on hands and trolley and basket handles, customers may also make use of the spray bottles with disinfectant at till points.

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How are you keeping the stores hygienic?

  • Spray bottles with disinfectant have been deployed at all till points and are used by cashiers and packers to sanitise the entire till surface (including pin pads) and their own hands.
  • Supermarkets have sani wipes available at entrances for customers to wipe their hands, basket holders and trolley handles. If stock shortages are experienced with sani wipes, stores have been requested to make appropriate concentrates of disinfectant available to customers in spray bottles for these purposes.
  • Employees are trained to follow good personal hygiene and product handling practices which have been in place since before the coronavirus outbreak. This is monitored through regular independent audits.
  • All employees were provided with personal protective equipment in the form of a plastic face shield which is sanitised at regular intervals.
  • Following the updated Disaster Management Act regulations published on 29 April, the Group issued each employee with two fabric masks free-of-charge as part of their uniform.
  • The 340 000 fabric face masks were made in South Africa in support of the local textile industry.
  • The WHO (World Health Organisation) advises rational use of medical masks to avoid unnecessary wastage of precious resources and mis-use of masks.
  • The WHO maintains that regular handwashing offers more protection than wearing rubber gloves.
  • While gloves can protect hands from coming into contact with the liquid droplets from the virus, the droplets will still stay on the gloves. This increases the risk of catching the virus as people may touch their face or food with their gloves, and risk passing it on to others.

 
 

Communities

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How are you supporting your communities?

  • During these unprecedented times, the Shoprite Group continues its work of building resilient communities, which is now more necessary than ever.
  • Given the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable communities, the Group has ramped up its relief efforts to provide support in excess of R75 million.

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  • Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Group has continued its work with hundreds of vetted non-governmental organisations (NGO) to support initiatives focused on tackling food insecurity in local communities.
  • The Group partners with NGOs focused on building and supporting sustainable pillars for development, specifically food and nutritional security, quality early childhood development (ECD) services, and access to training and development.
  • Since the start of the national lockdown, surplus food and goods valued at over R90 million has been donated to more than 380 vetted beneficiary organisations with which the Group has long-standing relationships.
  • During the same period, Shoprite’s 23 Mobile Soup Kitchens have supplied more than 3,9 million meals to over 4 000 beneficiary organisations with employees implementing the strictest hygiene standards when delivering the food.
  • In addition to the above, the Group has a sustainable hunger relief programme in place to address food scarcity needs in the long term.
  • Since 2015, it has partnered with more than 100 community gardens and 347 home gardens across all nine provinces which benefits more than 23 000 people.
  • The Group’s support includes permaculture training workshops over a period of 18 months which introduces beneficiaries to techniques such as mulching, companion planting and composting to ensure the gardens continue to provide fresh produce in the long run.

icon  Act For Change Fund

  • From 6 July, when customers choose to donate at our till points, we distribute collections to local vetted NGOs in each province. Thanks to our generous customers, we reached the R1 million-mark on 25 January 2021.
  • The Group manages the Fund on behalf of its customers and pays all the money received over to the beneficiaries. There are no administrative costs.
  • Donations are only added on at the request of customers. Anyone who would still like to donate to the Act For Change Fund, can do so at the till point in any Shoprite, Checkers or Usave store the next time they do their grocery shopping.
  • Since the start of the pandemic, and together with our generous customers, we’ve donated R3.7 million to the Solidarity Fund via the Act For Change Fund.
  • The Group immediately heeded President Ramaphosa’s appeal by making an initial R1 million donation. 
  • It thanked and congratulated its customers for raising R1 million in funds for the SSolidarity Fund and, in appreciation, matched its customers’ contributions with another R1 million.
  • Contributions from small rural towns have been unprecedented. Mafikeng, Middelburg, Kokstad and Ulundi have been the stores with the highest number of customer contributions to the Fund.
  • The Act for Change Fund was launched in March 2016 in response to customers who enquired how they could help drought-stricken communities in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State at the time.

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  • Selected Shoprite and Checkers supermarkets have donation trolleys available in its stores. Customers are encouraged to donate non-perishable foods, sanitary and disinfectant products.
  • These donations are distributed to care facilities and other organisations that look after vulnerable groups in informal settlements. 
  • South Africans who want to reach out and help those in need in a time where physical contact is severely restricted due to the lockdown, can buy a virtual grocery voucher. 
  • This secure, technology-based solution provides food assistance quickly, efficiently and directly to economically destitute citizens.
  • Tens of thousands of virtual grocery vouchers have already been distributed to South Africans in need after the Group launched this offering via its affiliate Computicket at the beginning of April 2020.
  • In addition to buying virtual vouchers to help individuals in need, customers can purchase them for vetted non-governmental organisations (NGO) working to address food insecurity in local communities. 
  • Virtual vouchers are sent via SMS to a recipient’s mobile phone within an hour of being purchased and can be redeemed immediately at any Shoprite, Checkers or Usave store.
  • Customers can also send money to recipients without bank accounts at the Money Market counters located in stores Shoprite, Checkers and Usave supermarkets nationally. This is another way that South Africans can help fellow citizens currently without an income including domestic workers, gardeners, waiters and many more. 

Stock

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Do you have enough stock? Are the shelves empty?

  • Stockpiling and panic buying has stabilised following the unprecedented demand experienced following the announcement of a National State of Disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 15 March 2020.
  • This has granted the Shoprite Group’s distribution centres an opportunity to restock and get adequate product volumes through to its stores. 
  • The Group continues to liaise with suppliers locally and across the globe to track and monitor orders and shipments to meet the increased consumer demand.
  • Order volumes have been increased and warehouses have sufficient stock to replenish store shelves; however, new and additional suppliers are also being sourced.
  • The Group appeals to customers not to stockpile and to buy only what they and their families need, so that others are not left without much-needed items. 
  • Stockpiling will hit the most vulnerable the hardest.
  • Some items are out of stock due to import restrictions or delays. Plans are being made to ensure additional stock is secured as soon as possible. 
  • The demand for immune boosters is abnormally high across the world and producers are under pressure to manufacture required volumes. 
  • Following government clarification provided on 9 April 2020, stores permitted to remain open for the sale of essential goods during the lockdown, including supermarkets, may sell products for the care of babies and toddlers.This includes baby clothes, blankets, towels and other essential accessories for new-borns, infants and toddlers up to the age of 36 months.
  • Per the government regulations published on 29 April 2020, the sale of winter clothing, footwear and bedding is now also permitted at Shoprite and Checkers supermarkets.

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Have you put limitations on products?

  • Demand for certain products remains high and rationing their sale is still necessary. This includes toilet paper, tissues, wipes, liquid soap, hand sanitiser as well as some tinned foods, cereals, antiseptic disinfectant liquids, medicines and vitamins.
  • Other limits may be applied where necessary as demand is monitored closely.
  • During lockdown, Sixty60 orders have been limited to a maximum of 30 items in total and individual products are limited to three per customer. This facilitates quicker order fulfillment and enables more customers to be served with necessities at home.

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Are there any restrictions on products?

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Will the current situation affect pricing?

  • The Group continues to act in the best interest of its consumers and is working closely with suppliers to ensure additional stock is secured at affordable prices in order to meet the increased demand.
  • Product pricing may vary at times depending on whether items have been on promotion or not.

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What are the popular products customers are buying?

  • Demand has increased for sanitary (including toilet paper), hygiene and baby products, dry pasta, UHT milk, tinned foods, immune boosters and vitamins.
  • In the days leading up to the national lockdown, there was a big increase in the sale of DIY products.
  • Currently baking goods such as cake flour, yeast and eggs are very popular.

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How are you keeping fresh foods safe?

  • The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have stated that there is currently no evidence that food is a likely source or route of transmission of the coronavirus.
  • It is spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
  • As an extra safety precaution, products that were previously available via self-service are now bagged or tubbed to limit the number of people handling food items.
  • Shoprite and Checkers employees working with food follow strict hygiene measures, including regular washing of hands and surfaces.

 
 

In-store shopping experience

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How does the lockdown affect store trading?

  • Money Market counters continue to offer customers essential financial services including money transfers, bill payments as well as airtime and data purchases.
  • Crowd control is implemented at store level and measures vary from store to store.

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Different store formats

  • The Group continues to look at ways to reach communities with essential groceries and recently established a few mobile Usave stores which relocate daily.
  • This pilot project has been well received by customers and we are looking at ways to grow this initiative to further assist communities. 
  • At least 30% of the stock in the mobile Usave stores are Ubrand private label products and pricing remains the same as what customers would pay in-store.

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In-store payment options

  • Dynamic contactless QR payment options are available at all stores throughout South Africa.

 

Online shopping

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What online delivery options are available?

  • Checkers Sixty60 continues to deliver groceries and household essentials during the lockdown period.
  • During lockdown, orders have been limited to a maximum of 30 items in total and individual products are limited to three per customer.
  • Steps have also been taken to ensure contactless deliveries are made at customers’ homes.
  • Product pricing in the app is the same as what customers would pay in-store. A R35 delivery fee was introduced on Monday, 4 May 2020.
  • Checkers Food Services is also delivering essentials including bread, milk and fresh fruit and vegetables.
  • All confirmed orders will be supplied within 24 hours.
  • This service is currently available in selected areas in the Western Cape and Gauteng.
  • Checkers has teamed up with Mr D Food to deliver medicine to its MediRite pharmacy customers’ homes during the lockdown.

 
 
 

Computicket

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What about postponed or cancelled events?

  • Computicket has advised that customers can expect to be refunded should events be cancelled or postponed. 
  • It is in constant contact with event organisers and, where events are being cancelled, ticket holders will be informed of the necessary procedure to institute refunds. 
  • Should events be postponed, ticket holders may request a refund or wait until new dates are confirmed before deciding. 
  • Where a reversal is not possible on the card used for payment, as in the case with debit cards or expired credit cards, Computicket would require personal information (such as an account holder’s name, account number, bank name, branch code) to process the payment via EFT. 
  • Any patron who prefers not to disclose their bank details and those who bought their tickets in store, can visit their nearest Computicket outlet or a Shoprite or Checkers Money Market counter to process their refund.

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My travel plans had to change. What can I do?

  • Bus and flight carriers have implemented policies to assist with travel arrangements due to COVID-19.