• Asda Shopping Slots For Vulnerable Customers Service

In a continued effort to help provide food for local communities and those most in need, Asda has launched a ‘volunteer shopping card’ giving those self-isolating a contact-free way to allow others to collect and pay for their weekly shop.

In response to the fact many people are relying on friends, neighbours and community volunteers to get their groceries for them, Asda has launched a dedicated ‘volunteer shopping card’ online, which allows self-isolating shoppers to buy a voucher online to give to volunteer to use on their behalf in store.

The Asda website revealed the supermarket emailed vulnerable customers to offer first access to delivery slots. An Asda spokesperson added: 'We are also using our own volunteer card scheme to try. Customers can enter Asda stores without a face covering if they have a medical condition or invisible disability that prevents them from wearing a covering.

The scheme has been designed to create a ‘ contact free’ and safe way for people to provide funds to those shopping on their behalf and creates mechanism for the millions of volunteers across the country pledging to step in and help those in need, including the 750,000 volunteers that have signed up to help the NHS.

Customers can buy a ‘Volunteer shopping card’ online and then keep topping it up, up to £150 worth of credit, which volunteers can then use to buy essential groceries.

From today, customers can go to asda.com/volunteercard to sign up – where they will then be able to buy a voucher, ready for use. The customer or their volunteer will then receive a barcode via email that can be used to pay for the shopping.

In a continued effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the volunteer shopping card provides an easy solution for those self-isolating to pay for shopping, without the added hassle or risk of using cash or debit cards. It gives customers confidence that they don’t need to share card details, whilst reducing contact with volunteers who are helping to drop much needed essentials straight the doorsteps of those in need, as safely as possible.

Roger Burnley, CEO and President of Asda, said: “We are continuing to work around the clock to look for new ways to support communities through COVID-19. Over the last two weeks we’ve brought in over 50 million core essentials for our customers. We have also made over 37,000 deliveries to our stores, ensuring our shops are safe and well stocked for our customers to visit.

“We are working with DEFRA on ensuring the most vulnerable in society have access to food, as well as encouraging those who can shop in stores to do so – so that we can focus our growing online capacity on those who do need to stay indoors.

'We know that many people are relying on others in this time of need, and it is amazing to see how the country has come together and so many volunteers are giving their time to help others, so we wanted to help make it easier for them with this simple payment solution.”

For more information about how we are dealing with COVID-19, please see our blog.

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The government has now released its list of clinically vulnerable people who qualify for support during the coronavirus crisis. Supermarket bosses will have received this list and will be in the process of contacting their vulnerable customers to offer them priority booking for online shopping services. If you're a vulnerable person or live with someone who is, you may be looking for advice on what to do next regards grocery shopping. We've rounded up information from five major supermarkets to help…

Sainsbury's

The latest information on Sainsbury's blog says: 'We are giving our customers who are vulnerable priority access to our online home delivery service. So far we’ve been able to identify and prioritise hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people across the UK.

'The government have identified and shared with us the customers who they consider the most vulnerable, and we’re in the process of contacting these customers to offer them priority access to home delivery slots. We are waiting for the databases for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and will contact vulnerable customers in those areas as soon as we are able.'

Sainsbury's has a number to call if you haven't received a vulnerable person letter

How do I book a Sainsbury's home delivery slot for a vulnerable person?

You need to follow instructions from the text message or letter you received to register as vulnerable on the government's website. If you didn't get contacted, you can register at gov.uk, and then contact your GP to request a letter. If you haven't been contacted by Sainsbury's already, then you should be soon.

There is a Sainsbury's phone number to call for the Careline should you need it. Understandably, Sainsbury's is currently experiencing high levels of demand for the service, but the number to call is 0800 328 1700 and is available Monday to Sunday 8am-11pm.

Tesco

Tesco's CEO Dave Lewis said: 'On Thursday, we were given an initial list of 110,000 clinically and socially isolated people by the Government. From these, we were able to match 75,000 existing customers and we’ve already contacted them to let them know we’re making home delivery slots immediately available to them. As we receive more data from Government, we’ll make even more slots available.'

Tesco has contacted its vulnerable customers

How do I book a Tesco delivery slot for a vulnerable person?

To book a slot, you need to go to tesco.com/groceries and log in. Vulnerable customers can book a priority slot with an eight-hour window for delivery.

If you don't currently have an account with Tesco but have received a letter from the NHS because you're classified as clinically vulnerable, you can create an account on their website or call Tesco on 0800 917 7359. The store can then check if you are on the government's list.

Ocado

A representative for Ocado told HELLO!: 'We have received the government’s vulnerable shield list and have cross-referenced it with our customer database to help support those in need. We have already identified our customers on the vulnerable list and reached out to offer them delivery slots with ocado.com. We will continue to do our part as the government updates its shield list.'

You can reach Ocado on the 'Contact Us' section of their website

How do I book an Ocado delivery slot for a vulnerable person?

Follow the instructions you have received from Ocado's correspondence with you. If you haven't heard from the online supermarket, visit gov.uk to register onto the government’s list. Ocado also suggests getting in touch with them using their 'Contact Us' online form.

Asda

The Asda website says: 'We have been working closely with the DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and some of our fellow supermarkets for the last couple of weeks to understand how to ensure essentials reach those with no support network.

'The data we’ve received from the UK Government has allowed us to email our customers to offer first access to delivery slots, ensuring they get what they need while they stay safe at home. We’re also working on similar programmes for customers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.'

Asda priorities their most vulnerable customers

How do I book an Asda delivery slot for a vulnerable person?

A representative for Asda told HELLO!: 'People who’ve been identified on the government’s vulnerable person list will have received either an email or a letter and all the information they need is in there.'

In terms of booking a slot, Asda's website says: 'During this busy time we'll only show slots for the next 7 days to allow us to prioritise our most vulnerable customers.'

Morrisons

How do I book a Morrisons delivery slot for a vulnerable person?

Like other supermarkets, Morrison's vulnerable customers will have received communication from them about priority online booking. The store is adding a fast track queue system so its vulnerable customers can be prioritised.

Morrisons is launching a telephone ordering service

The chain has introduced other measures to help vulnerable customers too. On March 23, the store launched a new range of food boxes containing grocery and household essentials for home delivery. There are five variations of food box, with prices ranging from £30 to £45.

Asda Shopping Slots For Vulnerable Customers Service

Morrisons is also launching a customer call centre for orders to be taken over the phone so that people who do not shop online can still order food. In the meantime, their online shopping customer number is 0345 322 0000.