With panic about COVID-19 spreading faster than the virus, many Metro Vancouver businesses are suffering dramatic losses as customers stay away.
To deal with false rumours on social media and address questions from customers, the CEO of one of Metro Vancouver's most popular grocery stores - and Canada's largest Asian supermarket chain - has issued a statement.
Tina Lee, CEO of T&T Supermarkets, says the company has taken “urgent action.”
“I’m reaching out to all our T&T loyal customers to address the evolving global COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis,” Lee said. “As it affects our community directly, we have been taking urgent action as early as six weeks ago. There is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our customers and our staff, so I wanted to share the steps we're taking to do our part.”
Lee outlined a series of steps the company has taken and made the promise of “no surge pricing.”
"We are frequently asked this question and we have heard many stories of websites or other supermarkets raising their prices to capitalize on virus fears," said Lee. “At T&T, you'll find the same value-for-money prices, no matter what happens in the coming weeks.”
These are the other steps outlined by Lee:
- “For all colleagues recently returning from high infected countries, T&T requires staff to self-isolate for 14 days. All non-essential business travel has been cancelled and those who exhibit flu like symptoms stay home.”
- “We are vigorously executing our industry-leading food safety procedures. All stores have passed Public Health inspections and our production facilities have been awarded Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification. We have taken extra actions, including frequently disinfecting our shopping carts and baskets, constantly sterilizing self-serve handles, and providing hand sanitizer in high traffic areas.”
- “Our team is building up inventory for the most important categories, and your favourite foods from Asia. I admit, this has been a difficult challenge to navigate due to global supply chain issues. Fortunately, we have a robust supply chain network and deep supplier relationships that will allow us to weather through this storm longer than most.”
T&T operates numerous locations in Metro Vancouver, including in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, and Coquitlam.
This article has been updated to include information T&T provided in an updated version of their statement issued Monday.
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