UK retailers have said that their services are continuing to “perform well” despite the heavy snow downfall wreaking havoc on roads this weekend.
Snow fell across most parts the UK and Ireland over the weekend, with the Met Office warning of more snow and ice in many parts of the country today (20 December).
Despite this, Sainsbury’s said that while the adverse weather conditions are “challenging”, its supply chain and delivery services are all “performing well”.
“Deliveries are getting through and our stores remain open and well stocked,” a spokesperson said.
“We have drafted in external contractors equipped with snowploughs to clear car parks and ensure they are safe for customers. “People who don’t want to travel too far and want to walk to the shops are going to our neighbourhood convenience stores (Sainsbury’s Locals) which are receiving additional supplies of fresh food, fruit and vegetables and groceries.”
Likewise, UK retail giant Tesco said it had not experienced any problems.
“All our distribution centres remain open,” a spokesperson said. “We are running a little bit behind schedule but we are finding that stores are getting their deliveries.”
Asda also said it was in “pretty good shape, and open for business”.
“Our stores are busy and are colleagues are working hard to keep car parks gritted and our shelves stocked. We still expect our busiest days will be Wednesday and Thursday.”
However, the retailer told just-food that while it will guarantee all online pre-Christmas food deliveries, any non-food orders placed after 13 December, will not be made.
“Based on the weather now, that was the right decision. We wanted to ensure we didn’t disappoint any customers,” the spokesperson said.
The Co-operative said that the “vast majority” of its stores across the country have remained open, but that “treacherous weather conditions”, particularly in the South West, have made some deliveries “very hard”.
