As customers increasingly rely on family and friends for their shopping needs due to coronavirus restrictions, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has developed a new guidance for retailers to deal with such situations.
The guidance, available here, explains best practice on offering and processing ‘card not present’ payments when volunteers purchase groceries on behalf of vulnerable or self-isolating customers.
Card not present payments are an alternative for customers who are unable to come into store, with the details typically provided over the phone by the customer and entered by the retailer into the card terminal.
A recent study by data and insights firm delineate has found that more than a fifth (21%) of UK shoppers have had someone else do their food shopping.
SPAR partners with Royal Voluntary Service to support NHS volunteers
James Lowman, chief executive of ACS, said: “We have seen how convenience retailers have quickly adapted to ensure that they can continue to serve their communities through a range of measures including offering grocery delivery services, introducing social distancing measures and dedicated shopping times for vulnerable customers and NHS workers.
“Our new guidance will enable local shops to continue to support their local communities, including those who are shopping on behalf of vulnerable friends, family and neighbours.”
ACS has earlier published guidance on offering home delivery services during the pandemic. The association said this guidance has been updated to include new assured advice from its partners Surrey & Bucks Trading Standards, which covers how to display pricing, and issues around premium pricing and delivery charges.
To use this website you must be aged 18 years or over. Please verify your age before entering the site.
