Foodland Company Response Regarding Covid-19

Coronavirus pandemic spread across the world has disrupted the normal life of humankind across the globe. However, different countries and organizations are working on the strategies and means of minimizing effect in line with the economic sphere. Nevertheless, most countries are locked, making it difficult for the business to thrive; for instance, the price of oil was recently halved to make history across the world. The stock market has not been making a fortune, and it has been a challenging task operating the stock market.

Historically, the current fiscal situation can be compared to the global financial crisis which occurred in 2008, despite all this, the actions that the companies will undertake in a bid to control the economic situation will play a pivotal role in saving the world from post–coronavirus financial crisis. The business organizations and companies faced the wrath of the pandemic in terms of fall in the business operation. This paper seeks to address how specific companies and business organizations have been responding in terms of measures taken to in coronavirus pandemic. The focus will be on one company known by brand name as Foodland American supermarket chain company touching on what have they been doing in response to coronavirus pandemic.

Several companies and business organizations have put down different measures in response to coronavirus. Conversely, most of the companies have adopted similar vies while others have been so exceptional in the criteria they have been using towards the pandemic response. The response is aimed at protecting customers and the employees against the attack by the coronavirus. The washing of hands by disinfectant, the keeping of physical distance, and guidelines towards protecting the older generation have been cutting across. However, some companies have been offering exceptional measures, such as an increase in online delivery to their customers on their premises. The minimizing of purchase to cater to the needs of their clients and customers, encouraging customers to put on a mask and the change in business hours

Foodland is a supermarket chain located in Pennsylvania and operates in over 20 stores across the U. The companies that operate in foods has been adversely affected in the wake of the pandemic. WHO recommends a limitation on the gatherings because the virus can be spread through human to human transmission. This recommendation has a devastating effect on the business that operates in foods and drinks. However, companies like Foodland has been working in response to protect their workers and customers from the virus. Foodland first updated their customers on 12th March on the reaction and prepared in tackling the prevailing situation. In address available on their website, they recommended and stated guidelines of their operation amid the pandemic. The message focused on the protection and support of both their customers and employees from the coronavirus attack.

Foodland instituted actions such as thorough cleaning of surfaces as a routine, which included the cleaning of hands surfaces like counters, shopping carts, and many more areas that the customers were likely to come in contact with during their shopping (Wall, 2020) Also, Foodland initiated the provision of disinfectant to their customers and any other person gaining entry at their premises to enable them clean surfaces they are likely to be in contact together. Consequently, they insisted on safe food handling practices among their employees, and this was to be achieved by the provision of gloves and hand sanitizers to employees. The employees were also to suspend giving food samples to their customers; this was to promote safe food handling and hygienic practices.

Also, during this first address, they promised their customers enough stocking of essentials such as cleaning detergents and disinfectant wipes, among many other things that were in demand during the period. The online delivery was to be expanded to those who would like to have their items delivered at the doors step; this was in line to limit public gathering and movement. And, finally, they were continuously kept in touch and monitor communications among their employees.

Conversely, as the pandemic continues to ravage astringent, more measures were required in addition to the previous steps. Therefore, the Foodland had to come up with more measures to curb the prevailing situations. Subsequently, in the second address and update to their esteemed customers, Foodland included more measures like having a special shopping day (Wall, 2020). The senior people were given priority since they are more vulnerable to the attack by the coronavirus. Foodland offered 5% to their senior customers who were above 60 years, and they were to shop on specific days as they had indicated. The company closed its bar until further notice. The employees were allowed to put on a mask to prevent them from touching areas of their face. Also, they advised that anyone feeling unwell was to refrain from coming to the shop

Foodland furthers updated their customer’s subsequently from time to time. The supermarket requested their esteemed customers and employees on the requirement of putting on a mask while entering the premises, and the group shopping was to be prohibited as customers were to be allowed to have additional one person with them. The company advised its customers to observe physical distancing while they are shopping. Furthermore, the purchase was limited to meet the needs of their many customers and avoid spree shopping among a few individuals that would leave the rest with nothing to purchase (Wall,2020).

In the final message and the current guidelines to their customers, they insisted on observing previous guidelines and regulations and added more stringent measures to control the situation. The expansion of online grocery shopping knowns popularly as “Foodland To You” in all their branches and sub-branches. The stay at home orders in most hometown had made it difficult for active movement; online shopping was the most preferred to obey the stay at home order. The company provided a guideline on creating an account that would enable one to shop online, and the first-time users were given offers of free food

In summation, the response of Foodland was unique as compared to many food and grocery companies across America. The containment of the pandemic requires a multisector approach starting from the individual’s measures to the government measures. The sectors that offer essentials services like food are pivotal in the war against this pandemic. The response of Foodland is innovated that should be adopted by other companies that deal with food and grocery.

The online delivery platform that can serve a million of their customers controls the influx movement of people in a shopping premise, minimizing gathering is vital in preventing the spread of the contagious coronavirus. The groceries and food business should protect their customers and the people they have employed. In this, a step they are playing a patriotic role in protecting the citizen of America. The response towards giving priority at Foodland should be applauded in their effort to protect the older generation; other companies can surely benchmark on this. Finally, different companies respond in different ways even though there should need to integrate the response to learn and borrow from each other.

Reference

Wall, J. S. (2020). Message to Customers Regarding COVID-19. Retrieved from https://www.foodland.com/message-customers-regarding-covid-19