Choppies considers 24hr shopping

Pauline Dikuelo | Friday April 3, 2020 22:40

 

Choppies considers 24hr shopping

CEO Ramachandran Ottapathu told Business Monitor the group is working on finalising logistics and is also waiting for the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) to give them the go-ahead.

'We are thinking of operating long hours across all our stores so that people can buy without crowding at the shops. The staff will be working in shifts,' he said.

Earlier this week the ministry encouraged retailers to operate longer hours to avoid overcrowding in queues during the lockdown. Officials said supermarket licences do not limit legal operating hours. The advisory is for supermarkets that have capacity and security to open for longer hours. 

During this period of extreme social distancing all individuals across the country are expected to adhere to a more severe form of social distancing where movement out of the home is only restricted to those performing essential services and transporting essential goods; and those collecting social protection packages, purchase of usual household or agricultural supplies, and seeking emergency, lifesaving or chronic medical attention.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi has also ordered through the Essential Supplies and Services Regulations of 2020 that traders shall not increase prices of medical supplies and equipment including sanitisers, gloves, masks and hygiene supplies, pharmaceutical supplies and food supplies.

The exception shall apply only when the increase exceeds previous cost.  In that case, only the additional cost shall be allowed in the price increase.