While some brands are behaving badly, others are stepping up to help their staff and others in times of need. I've made this guide to help you shop smarter once we've emerged from Coronavirus, and give money to the brands, shops, and chains who deserve it.
Multiple people have got in touch to say:
Games workshop has not responded to a request for comment at this stage.
I spoke to a source who said:
A spokesperson for Aldi said: “Any colleague who is clinically extremely vulnerable should not come to work, and will be fully paid until it is safe for them to return. The latest government advice states that those living with an extremely vulnerable person do not need to shield themselves, however we will review any such situations on a case-by-case basis.”
Thank you to the dozens of people who wrote in to also confirm the above, and to say that: Multiple Nando's resturants have been giving away free food to NHS staff, key workers and food banks.
Anonymous feedback: "The communication from management has been incredible...Truly feels like a big family"
Thank you to the many people who wrote in to say:
I've had conflicting reports of franchised branches paying different amounts. Please get in touch if you can verify this.
Asda recently announced that they will:
Plus:
Fullers have:
Plus, internal documents which I have seen has confirmed:
The Body Shop have:
Multiple people have written in to praise the communication and support from management.
Anonymous feedback: "they're treating us really well" & "free counselling and wellbeing services"
Do you have info about the environment in Reiss' warehouses? Please get in touch if you can provide information from a verifiable source.
Anonymous feedback:
"Fridges and freezers were brought in and are not yet full of food"
"No sick pay for staff after a week unless you have a sick note – which you can't get at the moment"
"vulnerable staff told 'its just the flu, you'll get over it' "
Thank you to the multiple people have written in about The Range.
Arcadia, who own Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins, and Evans & Burton have:
Thanks to: Chris Burl and others
TK Maxx have:
In more news:
Anonymous feedback:
"Customers have to open the door to receive their parcel even if they are self isolating. Drivers have to take a photo showing the parcel in the open doorway. If customer won't open the door, the parcel is returned to sender."
Home Bargains created a £30 million fund to pay staff:
In more news:
Costa posted on Twitter on 23 March confirming:
In more news:
Thanks to everyone who got in touch about Primark.
Pret has so far:
Co-op Food is a network of separate societies, the points below may not apply to all stores/organisations.
I received a quantity of internal documentation cover this, thank you.
Vonder Europe has been approached for comment.
According to internal documents that I have seen:
It is unclear what the the company can afford, and if it can stay solvent. It's not getting a 'nope' rating just yet, though I will keep this updated in the coming days
On 22 March, the John Lewis Partnership announced:
Plus:
The Evening Telegraph in Dundee reported:
Plus:
Live Better With is company that recommends products, writes articles, and has an online community for people with cancer, menopause, dementia and other conditions.
According to internal documents which have been shared with me:
According to internal documents which I have seen:
According to an internal letter sent to staff, which I have seen:
Anonymous feedback:
"Still forcing customers to take delivery, even if they're self isolating. If customers want to change it, they're being charged £150 or more"
"I was given a higher contract because I was over-performing, then was let go because I was under-performing"
Thank you to the many people who have wrote in about Wren.
According to an email sent to customers, Pets at Home have:
Posting on Tuesday 24 March, Leon announced:
According to internal documents which I have seen, staff who needed to self isolate or take care of a dependant were only being paid Statutory Sick Pay.
LEON has not responded to a request for comment at this stage.
Anonymous feedback:
"They are not allowing staff to wear masks as it's not part of the uniform"
Thanks to: @DonnaWalkerBN and others
Thank you to the many people who wrote in about Sykes.
Bacardi owns brands Grey Goose, Bombay Saphire, Martini, Tequila Patron, and Dewar's.
Internal documents, which I have seen, show:
I've spoken with Greene King directly who have confirmed:
Thanks to the multiple people including Thom, Ben and others, who've written in with their experiences.
Anonymous feedback: "The company have been amazing" "Couldn't ask for any more"
Holland and Barrett have announced it is:
There is considerable debate on social media about the chain being classed as 'essential', and whether staff have been provided sufficient PPE equipment. If you can verify this, then please get in touch.
Thanks to the anonymous tip off – an unexpected addition to the list.
Anonymous feedback:
"we're being worked to the bone", "we are being treated appallingly, working 12/13 hours a day, every day, which is mentally, and physically exhausting"
Superdrug have announced a £40m package which includes: