Co-op launches recruitment drive as limit put on buying
The Co-op has launched a recruitment drive to help its stores cope amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The organisation wants to bolster its workforce across its 240 shops in the Midlands to ensure shelves are stocked and customers served.
Shelves have been left bare at supermarkets after the outbreak of the virus led to panic buying.
To try and combat this, shoppers at Co-op stores will only be able to buy two of each item.
The Co-op has also launched an urgent food bank appeal to support its charity partners after they reported a major fall in donations at the same time as a spike in demand.
Meanwhile, the retailer has stepped in to ensure voluntary organisations and charities it has ties with are supported.
A donation has been made to FareShare Midlands, paying for vital extra transport and staffing costs to make sure that more emergency food packages continue to be delivered.
It has also donated enough money to pay for their charity partner Dementia UK to staff their emergency phone line seven days a week with more help available over the coming vital weeks when people living with dementia and their careers are under strain.
Central England Co-op chief executive Debbie Robinson said: “As a co-operative retailer, we want to make sure we are leading the way for our communities during this difficult time.
“We are launching an urgent food bank appeal and we are asking people to show their co-operative spirit and donate an item or two so our food bank partners can provide emergency food and support to individuals and families.
“We also wanted to say we are working hard with our suppliers to make sure that shelves are regularly re-stocked, as a community retailer we know how important it is for everyone to have access to good quality food and vital essentials.
“To make sure that there are enough items for everyone, we have placed a temporary limit of two of every product in our stores to help maintain stock levels. We are asking our customers and members to be considerate to others at this uncertain time and shop responsibly.
“We hope that these measures and the work of our colleagues, members and customers allows us to come together for our communities during this uncertain time.”
Items needed for the food bank appeal include cereal, tinned food and fruit, tea bags, dried pasta, rice, long life milk, sugar, biscuits, fruit juice and squash, pasta sauce and instant coffee.
Those interested in the temporary roles should ask in store for more details.
