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OUR SUPPLIERS SUPPLIERS ADDRESS THE PANDEMIC Retail World takes a look at the actions of a number of our suppliers during the COVID-19 pandemic. 27 March Nestlé Australia Nestlé Australia announced it would donate a minimum of $2 million in products – $500,000 each fortnight – over the following two months to Australians who need it most. Extending its partnership with Foodbank, Nestlé said it would extend support to communities across the country facing increasing uncertainty with the aim of supporting Australians who are most at need, including the vulnerable and elderly. The donation includes food items such as coffee, cereals, meal bases and pet food, which has been distributed by Foodbank through its network of 2,400 charity agencies, as the food relief organisation continues to provide much needed support for Aussies facing hardship in these challenging times. In addition to the $2 million donation, Nestlé will extend its 10-year partnership with Role Models and Leaders Australia, which run the Girls Academy, a school-based engagement program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls. Nestlé will provide essential food items to 43 at-risk remote Indigenous communities that are facing food scarcity as some are in lockdown. “An act of kindness can go a long way in these uncertain times, with even the smallest gestures having the potential to make a big difference to both individuals and broader communities,” Nestlé Oceania CEO Sandra Martinez said. “Now, more than ever, is a time for Australians to band together and help one another. Together with Foodbank and the Girls Academy, we are aiming to do what we can to make a positive difference and help those Australians who need it the most during these difficult times.” 6 April General Mills Australia General Mills Australia is maintaining its local and global supply chain networks for “much loved” food products its customers need. By collaborating with suppliers, partners and customers, General Mills claims it has been able to respond to increased customer demand caused by pantry-stocking, ensuring supply for both the short and long term. To support its production employees who are “safely running” the Rooty Hill plant in Sydney at full capacity, General Mills Australia has taken several additional actions including: • Introducing a daily bonus for plant employees to recognise their additional efforts. • Implementing flexible work schedules to support employees with childcare arrangements. • Additional paid leave for employees in quarantine or where there is a potential medical risk. • Implementing temperature checks on entry so employees remain safe. • Implementing social distancing protocols where it’s encouraged to use different spaces – like personal vehicles or conference rooms – for breaks rather than community areas. • Adjusting furniture and workstations to increase distance between people. • Finding opportunities to transition in-person meetings to virtual communications. A taskforce within General Mills was also announced to closely monitor international developments and instituting mitigation strategies for the enterprise related to the COVID-19 outbreak. 14 RETAIL WORLD MAY, 2020