Since the beginning of the confinement, supermarkets have to face an increase of the number of clients. Of course, even though main distribution brands repeated over and over again that their stocks were full, consumers couldn’t help themselves but rush to stores and stockpile up pasta, rice or canned food.
During the confinement, it’s not always easy to make people respect the regulations, especially social distancing with 3 ft between each person. So, supermarkets have to be organized to find solutions and make people respect health safety measures as well as possible.
Le Parisien newspaper listed different measures set up by several distribution brands in France. For instance, they all called in a security guard to make sure health safety distances at the entrance of each supermarket are respected, but also inside and have put marks on the floor near the checkouts.
As for opening hours, Intermarché and Netto – from Les Mousquetaires group – have widened their opening hours. As Le Parisien writes, these supermarkets will be open from 8 a.m. and will close towards 8:30 p.m. or 9 p.m. Moreover, between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., the time slot is for clients over 70 years old.
And some Carrefour stores in France, also allow seniors to grocery shop between 7:45 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
For those using drive-through services, once again, measures have been set up. Still according to Le Parisien, clients no longer have to get out of their cars when arriving at Chronodrive. Here, no contact between the client and the people in charge of loading groceries in the trunk.
Last but not least, moving on to home deliveries, because of the demand, Auchan, Franprix, Monoprix and Carrefour have announced to provide new delivery services. For instance, Monoprix plans to deliver on Sunday, all day long.
For the most isolated people, Monoprix has also set up a toll-free number (080005800). The goal? Delivering a basket of first-necessity products for small prices including free delivery. And so does Franprix (0805620370).
We also learnt that major food distribution brands (Carrefour, Aldi, Auchan, Cora, Casino, Système U, Lidl, PIcard, E. Leclerc and Intermarché) have decided to give priority access to health caregivers so that they can shop without waiting. "All big food distribution stores have agreed to allow all health caregivers, by presenting a professional certificate (badge, hospital card) to shop without having to wait at the entrance of the store nor at the checkouts, at any time of the day" the French Trade and Retail Federation says in a press release.
