A list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found below.
Please click on the question you would like to see an answer for, or continue to scroll down the page to see all frequently asked questions and answers.
What contingency plans are in place to ensure that you can maintain stock levels and keep stores open?
Is the purchase of products being restricted?
Is Scotmid introducing reduced opening hours?
Is Scotmid introducing specific times for those shopping for vulnerable groups or support workers to shop in stores?
Why was the store closed when I visited during normal trading hours?
Are you going to ban children from your stores?
Will Scotmid be providing a home delivery service?
How are you planning to keep stores open if staff are off?
What measures have you introduced to ensure staff and customers maintain a safe distance in your stores?
What measures are in place to minimise the spread of Coronavirus?
What are you doing to ensure that no contamination occurs through Food-to-Go?
Do you still take cash?
Answers to all Frequently Asked Questions can be found below.
STOCK
What contingency plans are in place to ensure that you can maintain stock levels and keep stores open?
We are working very closely with all our suppliers to ensure that we can monitor and track any issues or delays with stock. Deliveries are currently continuing to arrive at our stores on a daily basis. We are working with local suppliers to source additional lines as a contingency for any disruption to the normal range. Should we experience any changes, we will keep customers informed and updated.
Is the purchase of products being restricted?
We are regularly monitoring stock supplies across our stores and are working very closely with both our staff and suppliers to keep our shelves stocked. At present, we are not implementing restrictions on the purchase of products. However, we do ask our customers to be considerate and to only purchase those items that they need. If there is any change to this, we will keep customers informed.
STORE OPERATING HOURS
Is Scotmid introducing reduced opening hours?
From Monday 30 March 2020, our stores will open from 7am – 9pm, which will give our staff some additional time to replenish shelves and complete cleaning schedules. We will continue to follow Government guidelines and will act in accordance with any advice that is given.
Is Scotmid introducing specific times for those shopping for vulnerable groups or support workers to shop in stores?
As a community-based convenience retailer, we welcome all customers into our stores throughout the day. We will continue to monitor both stock levels and customers’ shopping habits and will ensure customers are kept informed of any changes to store access.
Why was the store closed when I visited during normal trading hours?
We may need to restrict the number of people in the store at busy times in order to maintain safe distances between staff and customers. There may also be occasions when the store needs to close for a short period to allow staff to complete critical tasks, safely. We ask that all customers respect the 2m safe spacing advice whilst they are waiting to enter the store.
Are you going to ban children from your stores?
In line with other food retailers, we have implemented social distancing rules which may include limiting the number of people entering the store. It would really help us if customers could shop alone. Clearly this will not be possible for everyone, for example single carers with small children who cannot be left at home. This will reduce the number of people inside stores, making physical distancing easier to achieve and reducing the risk for everyone.
Will Scotmid be providing a home delivery service?
We recently launched our Snappy Shopper service, which is available in some of our stores. ‘Snappy Shopper’ delivers goods to your door. To download the app on Android or IOS or to find out which stores offer this service, go to: https://www.snappyshopper.co.uk/home
How are you planning to keep stores open if staff are off?
We have robust contingency plans in place designed to best support us in keeping stores open should any of our staff fall ill and require to be off. We also have a fast track recruitment process in place to allow us to employ and train new colleagues as quickly as possible. We are confident that the measures we have put in place will enable us to continue operating for the benefit of those communities we serve.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
What measures have you introduced to ensure staff and customers maintain a safe distance in your stores?
All our stores now have clear signage and floor markings to help customers judge the required distances and we have installed perspex screens at all till points. Customers are asked to use contactless payment where possible and we have temporarily suspended our Community Connect scheme to minimise card handling. Where necessary, we have closed some till points and self scan units in order to protect the 2m safe distance.
At their discretion, store managers will limit the number of customers entering the store in order that safe spacing can be maintained. Messages are broadcast on the instore radio reminding customers to follow the 2m guidance whilst shopping in store.
CLEANLINESS
What measures are in place to minimise the spread of Coronavirus?
Scotmid already has a comprehensive cleaning programme in place for all stores, which we will continue to operate. In addition we’ve introduced extra cleaning for all customer touch points such as baskets, screens and key pads. There is hot water behind every kiosk and all staff are washing their hands frequently, for at least 20 seconds. Staff have all been fully briefed on ensuring they continue to adhere to the latest NHS information regarding keeping themselves and customers safe.
FOOD-TO-GO
What are you doing to ensure that no contamination occurs through Food-to-Go?
We already have rigorous food hygiene controls in place at all our food to go counters and all have hot water and handwashing facilities which staff use frequently. Where stores had a self-serve offer such as a Wing and Rib Bar, these have been moved to a counter serve operation or temporarily closed. Loose morning rolls and in store bakery products are now bagged before display.
PAYMENT
Do you still take cash?
To ensure the safety of our customers, and staff we ask that customers use contactless payments wherever possible. Customers may still pay by cash if they wish.