[imagesource: Sebabatso Mosamo/EWN]

A number of retailers are pulling out all the stops to ensure that their workers and customers are able to physically distance themselves as far as possible during the lockdown.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a store open without encountering masked workers and hand sanitiser at every checkout counter.

(The Minister of Health has recommended that we all wear masks when leaving the house. Just ensure that you’re following the safety guidelines when you do so.)

Woolworths is on board with these safety measures, and has launched a new contactless click and collect drive-thru service that allows you to order and then receive your groceries without leaving your car.

The first drive-thru was launched at the Durbanville Food Store over the Easter weekend.

BusinessTech spoke to the Woolworths group about why it decided to implement this new measure and how it works.

“During these last few weeks, we have been focused on putting in place all the necessary precautions to safeguard the wellbeing of our customers and employees during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Liz Hillock, head of Online and Mobile at Woolworths.

Image Source: Woolworths

“We have seen an unprecedented increase in demand for our online offering during this crisis. Since the start of the lockdown we’ve increased our capacity by over 50% but demand remains sky-high.”

Woolworths is using its website to manage the service. You’ll be able to view food catalogues with accurate representations of what is available in specific stores, fill your cart, and check out.

Payment will be processed online, following which you can drive to the relevant store, open your boot, and someone will fill it with your groceries.

Image Source: Woolworths

As they refine the process, the retailer will be rolling out this service to an additional 14 stores across South Africa:

• Kyalami
• Fourways Mall
• Morningside
• Broadacres
• Linksfield
• Farramere
• The Club Waterkloof
• Ballito Junction
• La Lucia
• Greenacres
• Palmyra Road
• The Sanctuary
• West Coast Mall
• Plattekloof Village

Not everyone is tech-savvy, so this could prove difficult for those who don’t have smartphones or credit cards (or are unwilling to use their credit cards online).

For South Africans who can take advantage of the click and collect service, it’s a great way to limit contact with the outside world.

[source: businesstech]