Ahead of the six-week retail shutdown in Victoria, Australian retailers have expressed their support for their team members and the wider Victorian community.
The below businesses have revealed how they will continue supporting their customers and teams throughout the six-week lockdown.
Woolworths Group
Woolworths Group has confirmed that 22 Big W stores in metro Melbourne will be closed, while nine regional Victorian stores will remain open under Stage 3 restrictions.
Big W's online operations will continue and the business will provide contactless pick-up in-store.
Big W also currently offers 'drive-up' in 15 of the 22 impacted stores.
Contactless home delivery will continue to service all Victorians.
The business is also working with the government to gain clarification on the changes in the supply chain and meat industries to minimise disruption to these operations.
CEO Brad Banducci said that the business is working to offer opportunities to impacted team members in other businesses in the Group.
"These are challenging times in Victoria and I can only imagine the stress and anxiety being felt by the entire community.
"We are focused on doing everything we can to minimise the impact on our team members, including temporary opportunities to support other businesses in the Woolworths Group where possible.
"We remain committed to doing whatever it takes to help keep our team and customers safe in Victoria and right across Australia," he said.
Wesfarmers
Wesfarmers' Target and Kmart's stores throughout metro Melbourne will be closed, but will continue eCommerce trading, offering customers home delivery and contactless click-and-collect.
34 Target stores and 39 Kmart stores will close in metro Melbourne.
Both Bunnings and Officeworks will be open to trade and business accounts but will close to in-store retail customers.
For team members stood down, Wesfarmers will provide a support payment equivalent to two weeks of normal rostered hours.
Following the two-week period, the Group will provide team members access to existing accrued leave entitlements.
The business will also provide paid pandemic leave to eligible permanent and casual team members who may be required to self-isolate pending their COVID test results or other related reasons.
Wesfarmers MD Rob Scott said that the business is prepared to adapt its operations to continue to serve its customers.
"Our businesses are well equipped to further adapt their operations to continue to safely support customers and suppliers through these restrictions, with a focus on supporting business, trades and home delivery as well as contactless click and collect in many of our Melbourne metropolitan stores," he said.
Mecca
Beauty retailer Mecca has sent a message of support to its customers.
The business will close its 23 Melbourne stores but will continue to offer services vis its eCommerce channel including free shipping, gift wrapping and e-gift cards.
Some of the retailer's stores offer call and collect, whereby customers are able to call ahead to be able to collect their items in a safe and contactless way.
The retailer also offers consumers an option to engage with a virtual host through a live chat feature.
Customers can ask questions, get help navigating the website and receive product recommendations.
They can also send through videos or photos to make the process easier.
Mecca also offers virtual services vis FaceTime, where consumers can book a 15 or 30 minute slot.
"As a Melbourne born and based business, we're with you Melbourne.
"We’ve been here before… and like before, our focus remains on making [our customers] look and feel [their] best, and that includes keeping in mind the safety and health of our MECCA community – that’s our customers and our team members," the business said in a statement.