It’s business as usual, say supermarket operators

PETALING JAYA: Photos of shoppers – often with trolleys full of groceries – have been flooding social media since Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s announcement of the restricted movement order but supermarket operators are assuring Malaysians that business will run as usual and essential items will be continuously replenished.

The operators have also come up with measures to ensure customers’ health and well-being in view of rising Covid-19 cases in the country.

Aeon Group said it will allocate RM1.2mil for sanitisation and cleaning initiatives in all its retail outlets until the end of June this year.

A spokesperson from AEON Retail (Malaysia) said that this is to give customers “peace of mind” while they do their shopping at the supermarkets under the group.

The spokesperson said that all its supermarkets and speciality shops such as MaxValu and Wellness will remain open as usual.

“We urge our customers to be calm and buy based on means. Customers need not engage in panic buying as there are ample supplies of daily necessities, ” said the spokesperson.

Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd also assured customers that it is working closely with suppliers to ensure that necessities are restocked as soon as they run out.

Its CEO Paul Ritchie said that supermarkets under the Tesco brand and its home grocery shopping platform, Tesco Online, will remain open throughout the restricted movement order period, which lasts until March 31.

“Although customers may find a few items unavailable due to high demand, I would like to reassure them that new stock is arriving all the time. Our colleagues are working round the clock to fill shelves as quickly as they can.

“We’re also working closely with suppliers to maintain supply of all key products especially fresh and frozen foods, grocery and essential non-food items, ” said Ritchie.

Ritchie urged customers to refrain from panic buying, as there is enough supply of necessities to go round.

Caution against panic buying was also expressed by Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd (Mydin) managing director Datuk Wira Dr Ameer Ali Mydin in a social media post.

“Let’s be considerate – we are all in this together and we will come out of this stronger only if we work together as Malaysians, ” said Ameer, attaching a photo of a crowded Mydin supermarket branch.

A Mydin spokesman said that supermarkets under the chain will open 30 minutes earlier to cater to the vulnerable, such as senior citizens and those with reduced mobility.

“We limited purchases for key items to ensure that all have enough in this trying period, ” he said, adding that items under restriction include anti-bacterial handwash, liquid sanitisers, diapers for adults and children and cooking oil.