DURBAN – The Shoprite Group says it has reopened 89 stores in the past three weeks as it moves to restore operations disrupted by the recent unrest.
The group said it was determined to rapidly rebuild and restock stores damaged during the looting and unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng last month. It said the efforts and determination of the group to clean up and restore operations had been exceptional.
It said loss prevention, supply chain, fleet management and in-store teams stepped up immediately and had been critical in the reopening process, and the group had also been overwhelmed by the support of customers and their offers to help with clean-ups.
“All of these efforts to reopen and rebuild our business and serve our communities in KZN and Gauteng reflect the strength and resilience of our teams and our operations,” a spokesperson for the group said.
“We were able to spring into action and quickly restore our operations with as limited disruption as possible and ensured job security for thousands of employees.”
It said it had also utilised container stores to continue to provide customers with essential goods. It sent its Usave eKasi trucks (mobile stores) into affected communities to ensure food security, and packed and distributed what it said were thousands of food hampers for people in need in affected communities.
The group also donated R1 million to the Shoprite Act For Change Fund for use by vetted organisations involved in relief efforts to help communities rebuild.
It said the fund was managed by the group, on behalf of its customers, and all donations collected went to organisations working directly on relief efforts in the areas that need help most.
Customers can add a contribution to their purchases at Shoprite, Checkers and Usave till points nationwide, or online via the Computicket website.
The group said: “The Shoprite Group continues to ensure it saves jobs and can contribute to the economy and its recovery by reopening as quickly as possible.”
THE MERCURY