Co-op residents in Sidmouth are being asked to use contactless payments in store and not to panic buy goods, in a message from the Co-op's CEO in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Southern Co-op CEO, Mark Smith, is calling on Co-op customers to act responsibly when shopping at Co-op stores and 'think about others' before panic buying and depriving 'others of the chance to buy what they need'.

Mr Smith also wants to reassure customers that there are currently no shortages of food and the Co-op's logistics team are working to ensure that shelves remain stocked.

Here's the message from Mark Smith, Southern Co-op CEO, regarding COVID-19:

"I wanted to reach out and contact you primarily to update you, but also to ask for your help, in connection with the COVID-19 outbreak.

"As you know only too well, we face uncertain times looking ahead as a country, indeed internationally. In this context, I want to reassure you as a customer and owner of Southern Co-op that our Business Continuity teams have been very busy over the last few weeks working with senior management and the Leadership Team across our Co-op to ensure we are as ready as possible for what lies ahead.

"As part of this, there are dedicated daily meetings in our Lakeside office to make decisions on COVID-19 and to release budget for action where necessary. In making decisions, it is really important that we all follow government advice, and this is what we are doing here. Clearly the situation is changing rapidly, and we are constantly reviewing and amending our plans where necessary as the official advice changes.

"We are working with colleagues across our supply chains to ensure that product continues to arrive in our stores when it is needed. I really do want to stress that at this point there are no shortages. Suppliers and logistics teams are working normally, whilst our store teams are in place to serve customers.

"In fact, I would like to call out the hard work of front line teams across our food, coffee and funeral businesses and their central support colleagues. If you are reading this message as a colleague member, thank you for everything you are doing in these difficult circumstances.

"We all need to pull together now and pass through this difficult time together as one team, one community and one nation. This is where I need to ask all our members for your help.

"Please take a moment to read this letter that has been signed by the Chief Executives of all the major supermarkets, urging customers to show restraint in what they buy to avoid creating unnecessary shortages of certain products.

"I know that, as a Co-op member, you will have a strong personal sense of community and, that like us, you will naturally take an ethical approach to things. Therefore, I am asking you to help us and other retailers spread the word to other people on the need to act and buy responsibly whilst this outbreak continues.

"Please urge everyone you know to think about others when making purchases in store over the weeks ahead. The only shortages will be those caused by people buying more than they need to.

"Together we can, and must, protect those in our communities who will suffer from unnecessary temporary shortages caused solely by panic buying. Of course, we all want to do right by our families, but there really is enough for everyone and no one needs to hoard and deprive others of the chance to buy what they need now.

"My ask of you is therefore to spread that message to your contacts and personal networks, and help us manage this difficult situation collectively. As the government has said, there is a role for each and every one of us in beating this.

"We would also ask, wherever possible, for people to make contactless card payments. We will be cleaning our devices regularly and still accepting cash but this is just an extra step which may assist our colleagues at the till points.

"We will continue to keep you informed on what we are doing, and will also be updating our website with further information and updates. You will appreciate that in such a fluid situation our communications may not always keep up with events, but we will endeavour to keep our members and customers as well informed as we possibly can at all times.

"Let's all do what we can to face the next few weeks together. Please be sure that I and every member of the Leadership and wider team in Southern Co-op will do everything we can to support you and your communities in what lies ahead.

"As with so much in life, if we co-operate together on this, we can achieve so much more!."

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