The ‘pingdemic’ that has hit retail and distribution staff availability, leading in some cases to empty shelves, looks as if it may be easing.
In recent weeks staff ranging from store employees to drivers have been forced to to self-isolate, despite the general easing of pandemic restrictions, after being pinged by the NHS Covid-19 app following contact with someone carrying the virus.
However, Greggs chief executive Roger Whiteside said today: “I’m hoping the worst of the pingdemic may be over.”
He said pings had “peaked about a week ago” and that associated disruption had been minimal, although some branches had to open late or close early because of staff shortages.
Whiteside said: “There’s no denying these last few weeks have been very difficult because of people having to self-isolate.”
However, Greggs staff had been flexible in response and the number of lost trading hours was “insignificant”.
His comments were echoed by Joules chief executive Nick Jones, who said the fashion retailer had suffered little impact in stores.
He said: “We’ve not had to change any of our trading hours or approach as a result of the pingdemic.
“For all of us it clearly creates another level of uncertainty but I’m pleased to say that all of our stores are trading all hours and customers have access to the full estate. There’s been no impact at this stage.”
At the height of the pingdemic in late July, approximately 685,000 people in a single week were told to self-isolate.
The NHS app has this week been modified so that only people who have come into contact with an infected person within two days, rather than five, will be asked to isolate.
The pingdemic problem exacerbated staffing issues for retailers, who have also faced difficulties resulting from a shortage of HGV drivers.
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