Waitrose rules out adding teachers to coronavirus priority shopping initiative

Waitrose says that it currently has no plans to set aside a proportion of hard to find and essential products exclusively for teachers.

Its stores are now doing this for NHS staff. The latter are also being 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.

Berangere Michel, Executive Director for Customer Service at the John Lewis Partnership, said: “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."

Last week, Boris Johnson announced plans to close all schools in the UK to halt the spread of the coronavirus. They will be shut until further notice for all pupils except children of key workers and the most vulnerable. This is a sizeable number of kids and so many teachers will remain on the frontline over the coming months.

However, a Waitrose spokesperson told RTIH: “Branches are using their discretion at the moment when assessing customer needs. But our latest steps are largely to support NHS workers who are really at the forefront of responding to unprecedented challenges.”

Sainsbury’s

Teachers have been calling on Sainsbury’s to include them in its coronavirus-related dedicated shopping hour initiative, which currently covers the elderly, vulnerable and NHS and social care workers.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, all the retailer’s supermarkets will dedicate 8am - 9am to serving the aforementioned people. Customers are being asked to follow social distancing guidelines and pay by card where possible.

“Think the dedicated shopping hour is wonderful. Please consider adding teachers too,” said primary school teacher @emmaccatt.

“We are still working next week providing care and support for key worker's & vulnerable children. It's been horrific trying to get food/supplies due to working hours (especially in London) & this would really help.”

“Yes please! Many of us are at work before 8 am so whilst 8am opening is great for some, it’s not for us. Many will be covering childcare until 6pm too so perhaps a slot 6pm- 7pm for NHS & critical workers when many of us are on the way home?” added @thepetitioner.

Sainsbury’s did not respond to our request for comment.