Blank form arranging deliveries during COVID-19

Waitrose Project Angel paperwork, from Waitrose & Partners, Finchley and of the type used in Waitrose shops during the first COVID-19 lockdown in 2020

For those without access to the internet the staff at Waitrose & Partners, Finchley set up what they called Project Angel. Each person could order up to 25 items, and their contact details and delivery day and time recorded. Receipts were attached when the items were paid for and then delivered. This was one way the branch supported their local community.

Many supermarket chains introduced priority opening hours for key workers or those at higher risk from COVID-19 and priority home delivery slots. At the beginning of the national lockdown, supplies of a range of products were limited. All supermarkets in the United Kingdom rely in a just-in-time model to stock their shelves. Every day deliveries are made depending on each store's individual needs. However with the impact of COVID-19, those that could afford to were buying more, sometimes stockpiling goods in case supplies ran short. The unexpected higher demand meant goods could not be transported quick enough or shelves stacked quick enough. Coupled with staff absences due to illness across the whole supply chain, stores took action on limiting purchases on essential items.