Sunday 23 January, 2022 

Following Government’s announcement that New Zealand will move to the RED setting of the Covid-19 Protection Framework from 11.59pm on Sunday 23 January, all New World, PAK’nSAVE and Four Square stores across Aotearoa remain 100% committed to ensuring New Zealanders continue to have their grocery needs met safely.

Keeping our customers and team members safe, while making sure there’s a constant supply of essentials continues to be our priority and we kindly ask New Zealanders to play their role in ensuring we can do this by following the protocols and advice in place.     

Our message to New Zealanders in a nutshell is:  It’s essential to #shopnormal, mask-up, keep 1m physical distance while shopping – and remember to be kind to each other and our teams.

We are well prepared for NZ to continue to shop safely in RED

Our teams have been actively preparing for Omicron and we have been building our stock levels in anticipation of a move to RED.  We have enough for everyone as long as we all shop normally, there is no need to stock-up, even if preparing to self-isolate.  

Since the Delta outbreak in August last year, all stores have been operating under heightened health and safety protocols, which includes increased hygiene and sanitation measures, physical distancing in store, mask use for teams and customers and scanning the QR app.  These protocols are all in place and designed to look after our teams and customers and provide a safe shopping environment as we continue to navigate this global pandemic. 

We encourage all customers to play their role and help us all keep safe while we’re in RED by nominating one person in the household to shop, scanning in using the government app, or signing in at the door - and to nominate a friend or neighbour to shop on your behalf if you are feeling unwell.   

As supermarkets are an essential service, customers don’t need to be vaccinated to shop in our stores. 

Essential while shopping in store

When we are in RED, it’s essential to wear a mask (unless exempt) and maintain a 1 metre physical distance. As the Omicron variant is particularly transmissible, we ask customers to be extremely vigilant, making sure their masks are well fitted and worn correctly - and to take personal responsibility for ensuring they maintain a 1-metre physical distance.

Gaps on the shelves and queues at the supermarket can be caused by buying more than is needed. Over the last couple of years, we’ve proved our fully integrated supply chain is extremely robust and our buying and supply chain teams will ensure there is enough for everyone, as long as we continue to #shopnormal during RED.  

Stores may place limits on certain items to ensure there is fair opportunity for everyone when they shop with us, this will be on a store-by-store basis, depending on customer demand.  All specials, if they are available, will continue to stay in place.  

One of the ongoing effects of COVID-19 is the global supply chain has been lumpy for some time and we expect this to continue throughout 2022, so if there’s a gap on the shelf on occasion - and it’s an imported product, it’s likely held up and will be back in stock soon, please take the opportunity to try alternatives.       

Together we’ve got this – #Shopnormal and Be Kind

Foodstuffs has served New Zealanders for nearly 100 years and we’re grateful for the privilege to continue throughout what’s turned out to be an extraordinary time in our lives.  Our 100% New Zealand owned and operated co-ops are planning to keep on providing New Zealanders with great value and choice whatever the pandemic, or life, throws at us this year and beyond.  

Together we’ve got this, be kind to each other and our teams - and #shopnormal.