Coronavirus retail news: Waitrose helps NHS staff, Primark closes stores

Waitrose stores will from tomorrow set aside a proportion of hard to find and essential products from every delivery that arrives into its supermarkets, exclusively for NHS staff.

The latter will also be given priority checkout service, through either dedicated NHS checkouts, partners opening up new tills for them as needed or moving to the front of the queue.

Also of interest: Coronavirus ravages UK high street as John Lewis stores close

John Lewis, meanwhile, will be donating items such as pillows, phone chargers, eye masks and hand cream, as well as 50,000 Easter treats, to hospitals.

Berangere Michel, Executive Director for Customer Service at the John Lewis Partnership, says: “Through these steps we want to recognise the tireless work of NHS staff, supporting us all through these unprecedented circumstances. We hope these measures make their life a little easier; our partners are keen to do something to help, and we are offering this with sincere thanks from us all." 

Primark

Primark's 189 UK stores will close today. Its parent company has temporarily closed stores in Europe and cancelled all future orders from suppliers.

Primark boss Paul Marchant said it faces "unprecedented, and frankly unimaginable times".

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