Unitas wholesalers are stepping up to adapt to the challenges presented by the coronavirus and supporting their communities during the crisis.
The buying group highlighted several of its members going above and beyond. It said United Wholesale (Scotland) has been communicating key messages around the Covid-19 crisis, such as working from home and social distancing via its social media accounts.
The wholesaler has been encouraging shoppers in the area to use local stores where there is plenty of stock and less chance of crowds, rather than queueing at the supermarkets, while also encouraging retailers to avoid inflating prices and assisting them in prioritising their more vulnerable customers with home deliveries and click and collect.
In addition, United Wholesale gave £1,000 to a Day Today store in Stenhousemuir to help make up care bags of essential foods, face masks and hand sanitiser for those in the community aged 70 and over.
Other wholesalers helping their communities during the coronavirus lockdown include foodservice firm Robinson’s in the Isle of Man, which has rolled out a Home Care Box Scheme to support customers unable to get to shops. The Care Box service offers four different boxes: fruit, veg, meat and everyday essentials. Agrimark, also based in the Isle of Man, is closing early on certain days in order to prioritise orders and deliveries for nursing homes and hospitals.
Meanwhile, Scottish wholesaler JW Filshill is also supporting its customers and stores during the crisis, with KeyStores receiving praise from their local communities for availability and customer service.
Unitas said the entire management team from CEO downward are donning high-vis and getting involved in the physical challenge to meet extra demand from receipting and processing stock through to loading customer vehicles.
