Tesco launches traffic light system so shoppers know when to enter stores
TESCO has introduced a traffic light system to let customers know when it's safe to enter the store amid coronavirus restrictions.
The supermarket has joined the likes of Aldi and Home Bargains which have already installed, or are working on installing, the prompters at stores.
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The number of shoppers permitted to go into a supermarket at the same time has been limited in line with the government's Covid-secure guidelines to make room for social distancing.
In an email to customers, Tesco boss Jason Tarry said: "Over the coming weeks, you will also start to see a simple "traffic lights" system at the entrances of some of our larger stores, to help us manage the flow in and out."
It's not clear exactly what kind of system this will be or which branches they will be implemented at.
Aldi's red/green system involves LED lights being installed above the entrance to the store that changes colour when it's safe to enter.
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It also relies on sensors placed in the doorways to count how many people go into the shop and how many people leave.
Home Bargains has teamed up with Hitachi for its sensor-controlled traffic light system - but it also tracks customers while they shop.
The discounter hasn't specified when it will start implementing the system.
It comes after supermarkets began to see the first signs of panic buying again amid fears a second lockdown is on the way.
Despite grocery stores reassuring customers that a second lockdown won't affect the supply chains, shelves were stripped of toilet roll and pasta for the second time this year.
Stockpilers have already caused some supermarkets to ration essential items.
Morrisons was the first supermarket to re-introduce product limits, while Tesco has put a three-item limit on five essential items.
In the email to Tesco customers, Mr Tarry also urged customers to shop in store if they can to free up delivery slots for vulnerable shoppers and those who have to self-isolate.
Tesco has dramatically increased the number of delivery slots available to as 1.5million a week compared to 600,000 before lockdown.
"We continue to prioritise making our stores as safe as we can, and we are continually looking at new ways to do so – as well as monitoring government guidance to make sure we respond to any changes straightaway," Mr Parry said.
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"We are very grateful to you, our customers, for continuing to follow the guidelines that help to protect us all."
In other supermarket news, Asda will return to British ownership for the first time in 20 years after the chain was bought by two billionaire Issa brothers for £6.8billion.
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It comes more than a year after plans to merge Asda and UK rival Sainsbury's were railroaded by the competition watchdog.