New exclusive shopping hour introduced for two groups at Bunnings
Bunnings has announced a dedicated shopping hour for two groups of customers, in a bid to ensure access to what they need amid the coronavirus outbreak.
On March 26, Bunnings announced a list of changes which will be implemented nationwide “in the interests of team and customer safety and as part of ongoing efforts to give customers access to the products they need”.
Among these changes is a dedicated shopping hour which will allow for tradesmen and health and emergency service workers to have exclusive access before 9am on weekdays.
“Bunnings hopes this move will help health and emergency services workers get what they need but also enable tradies to keep their businesses running and get the items they need to help with vital maintenance and repair projects,” the company said in a statement.
“We know our customers need access to products to maintain their homes and we want to stay open for our customers to make these items available, while also putting measures in place to keep them safe,” Bunnings Managing Director, Mike Schneider said in the statement.
“Our health and emergency services workers are doing an incredible job and we want them to have an opportunity to access the products they need.
“For tradies, it’s about keeping their businesses running and getting the items they need to help with vital maintenance and repair projects.
From March 30, stores will also close at 7pm, to allow staff to restock the shelves and thoroughly clean the store.
All other customers will be able to shop at Bunnings from 9am to 7pm during the week, with weekend hours remaining the same, however Bunnings does advise customer check their website as local trading hours may differ.
The other changes customers can expect include:
Increased cleaning in-store and for equipment such as counters, trolleys and baskets
Hand sanitiser for all team members
Social distancing including taping floors to mark 1.5m, moving stock to open up space, trestle tables in front of service areas to create more distance
Posters outside and around the store and announcements to remind customers
Encouraging customers to use Tap and Pay where possible
Water fountains and trade coffee stations closed
Cafés closed
Limiting customers in busier aisles
Limiting customer numbers in store during busy times
Suspension of sausage sizzles, family events, in-store and children’s activities
Over the weekend, pictures from inside a Bunnings in Sydney drew criticism, as customers disregarded social distancing guidelines, and continued to shop as if all was normal.
Bunnings Managing Director Michael Schneider told Yahoo News Australia earlier today the retailer would “continue to follow government advice” and would abide by any new restrictions as they arose.
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