To alleviate long queues and many having to travel long distances to get the bare essentials during the 21-day lockdown, Shoprite has decided to bring their stores to the
communities.
The retail giant sent a mobile Usave shop to Ocean View on Monday, the same day pensioners and disabled persons received their grants.
Mense were surprised to see the shop parked in their area, ready for them to do their shopping.
Ocean View Councillor Patricia Francke says this was a great initiative for her community.
PROJECT: Shoprite Usave Mobile Shop in Ocean View
“This worked very well for the residents of Ocean View, unfortunately not all of the residents knew about it until some of the information was shared on social media,” she said.
A 65-year-old woman, who did not want to be named, says she stumbled upon the truck by chance.
“I didn’t know they would be in the area and I was worried about having to travel to Fish Hoek,” she says.
“I sent my grandchild to go and see if it was real and a nice woman said we can come in and buy, like at the shops.
“I had just gone to withdraw my pension and buy everything we need in the house. It may not have been much, but I am so grateful to Shoprite for this.”
She said managed to buy bread, milk, sugar, salt, canned goods and spices.
One of the unfortunate residents who arrived just minutes too late was young mother Cindy Woodward.
“I went too late. By the time I got there, the truck was empty so it did look like a success.
“The nice thing is when you arrive, they sanitise your hands upon entry, they had a security [guard] doing that and when you leave at the exit, your hands get sanitised as well.”
PLEASED: Councillor Patricia Francke
In a statement, Shoprite’s Media team said the mobile store is a pilot project that has been well received by customers: “The supermarket chain store has in current unprecedented times looked at possible ways to reach communities with essential food products.
“We are looking at ways in which the initiative can be grown to further assist communities.
“Product pricing in the mobile store remains the same as what customers would pay in-store.
“The mobile store will relocate daily.”
robin.francke@inl.co.za