Tesco DOUBLES its online delivery slots and extends 10% bonus for staff
TESCO plans to increase the number of delivery slots available to customers to 1.2million - more than double what it offered at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis.
At the start of lockdown, the supermarket only offered 590,000 slots and has since upped this figure to one million as of this week.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
It hopes to add another 200,000 slots over the next two weeks.
To make this possible, the retailer has recruited another 12,000 members of staff to pick out the orders and 4,000 new drivers to deliver them.
The push means that there are now enough slots to cover the 350,000 people on the government-provided list.
But in an email to customers, Tesco boss David Lewis acknowledged that "it's simply not enough for everyone who feels vulnerable at the moment".
How to cut the cost of your grocery shop
SAVING on your shop can make a big difference to your wallet. Here are some tips from Hannah Maundrell, editor of Money.co.uk, about how you can cut the cost of your shopping bills:
- Write yourself a list – Only buy items that you need. If it isn’t on your list, don’t put it in the trolley
- Create a budget – Work out a weekly budget for your food shopping
- Never shop hungry – you are far more likely to buy more food if your tummy is rumbling
- Don’t buy pre-chopped veggies or fruit – The extra they’ll charge for chopping can be eye watering
- Use social media – follow your favourite retailers to find out about the latest deals
- Be disloyal – You may want to go to different stores to find the best bargains
- Check the small print – It’s always worth checking the price per kg/lb/litre when comparing offers so you’re making a like for like decision as a bigger box won’t necessarily mean you get more
- Use your loyalty cards – Don’t be afraid to sign up to them all. They all work slightly differently – work out what bonus suits you better and remember to trade in your points for additional rewards
The country is now in the sixth week of lockdown and vulnerable and elderly customers are still struggling to book a supermarket delivery slot for their groceries.
Shoppers who are considered higher-risk if they're infected with coronavirus have been advised by the government not to leave their home, even for a trip to the supermarket.
In the email, the supermarket boss urges everyone who is able to shop in stores or make use of the click and collect service to do so.
He said: "This will help us free up more online slots for people who need them most.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, .
To follow us on Facebook, simply .
Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – .
"I'm very grateful to the customers who have done this already."
The supermarket has also announced that it will be extending its 10 per cent bonus reward for a further four weeks "in recognition of their support and contribution during this busy time."
It had previously said that employees who worked between March 9 and May 1 will receive the salary top-up but it will now include all hours worked up until May 30.
Mr Lewis added: "Once again, I’d like to thank our colleagues who I know are working harder than ever to solve this problem and to provide the best service possible to our customers."
Most read in Money
Sainsbury's has also announced a 10 per cent bonus for its employees who have worked throughout the coronavirus crisis.
has published a handy guide showing how far in advance all the big-name grocers release their delivery slots amid the coronavirus pandemic, to help you get ahead.
You could also try getting groceries delivered via Deliveroo and Uber Eats instead of from a supermarket.