Waitrose launches volunteers’ shopping e-gift card
The Waitrose supermarket chain has launched an e-gift card for self-isolating customers who want to arrange payment for groceries delivered by volunteers, friends or family members.
Customers buying the gift cards online can have them emailed directly to friends, neighbours and volunteers for them to use on their behalf in Waitrose shops.
Waitrose said the cards will provide elderly, vulnerable and self-isolating people with a safe and contact-free way to pay for their shopping without having to hand over cash or share bank card details.
The launch follows the government’s successful recruitment drive for NHS Volunteer Responders who help those in self-isolation with essential tasks such as grocery shopping and medication deliveries.
Bérangère Michel, executive director of customer service at the John Lewis Partnership, said: “We are pleased to be able to support our customers and the nation’s brilliant army of volunteers during these unprecedented times. Local communities have really rallied around those unable to get to the shops themselves and we want to make it as simple as possible for kind-hearted volunteers to get essential groceries to them.”
The e-gift cards will be available for purchase in £10 denominations up to £500.
When purchasing the e-gift card, customers are asked to enter their own or their volunteer’s email address so they can receive a copy of the e-gift card. This can then be printed out or saved to a phone and presented at the checkout in-store. Physical versions of the gift cards can also be bought in Waitrose stores or online.
Customers will be able to check the balance of their e-gift card online to keep track of their grocery spending.
