Alphamega’s commitment to serve, protect amid Covid-19

With the protection of public health as its main priority, Alphamega Hypermarkets is continuing to implement effective measures against the coronavirus, having taken action from the moment the pandemic hit to keep staff and customers safe, while protecting especially vulnerable groups, and those on the Covid-19 management front-line.

Such efforts have played out against a broader effort locally whereby companies have been having to act fast to ensure their business’ continuity, while responding to society’s ever-increasing needs and to protect public and staff wellbeing. As such, several companies have been forced to realign their business models and operations, while at the same time joining forces with the state to prevent the virus from spreading.

Supporting vulnerable groups

Recognising the problems created by the pandemic for vulnerable population groups, Alphamega Hypermarkets has supported various institutions with sponsorships and donations. More specifically, it sponsored actions and special fundraisers by the Cyprus Red Cross, the Karaiskakion Foundation, the Hope for Children and Europa Donna foundations, as well as the ‘One Dream One Wish’ association.

Furthermore, the company actively supported the health sector, by offering coupons to doctors and nurses working at the special Covid-19 wards. It also helped purchase 10 respirators and 20,000 uniforms for OKYpY (State Health Services Organisation of Cyprus), on an initiative by the Butterfly Foundation and with the participation of other big companies.

Additionally, during lockdown, Alphamega Hypermarkets supported the creation of an online exercise platform, as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Sports for All Programme, which offers different types of exercise lessons for all ages, free of charge. This action was part of the company’s ‘Child, Diet and Health’ CSR programme, promoting a healthy and fit way of life.

Protecting staff and customers

The company also implemented a specific action plan to ensure staff and store visitors were protected. This included placing protective shields at checkouts, ordering special masks for all staff, and placing signs and stickers specifying the distances needed to be kept in its stores.

Furthermore, Alphamega Hypermarkets installed people-counting cameras at the entrances of its supermarkets, to ensure the limit of persons in closed spaces was adhered to, while hiring additional staff to boost security at supermarket entrances and to take customers’ temperatures. Sanitisers and disposable gloves were placed at all entrances and other main areas within stores, while trolleys and checkouts were disinfected daily.

The company also continues to pay for PCR tests taken by all newly-hired employees, and has been carrying out free weekly rapid tests on all its staff since last October, with specialised and authorised medical staff at its premises. Furthermore, it was the first company to import the new type of nasal test to Cyprus, which it has been putting to use since January.

Upgraded systems

Faced with the need for social distancing, Alphamega Hypermarkets has accelerated the installation of self-checkouts at almost all its stores, thereby allowing customers the chance to finish their shopping without human interaction, quickly and easily.

E-store

Additionally, with the outbreak of Covid-19 leaving many consumers unable to visit stores to shop for necessities in person, Alphamega Hypermarkets, in collaboration with local food delivery company Foody, has been offering online shopping services and home deliveries. In February 2021, the company also launched its e-store, an innovation for Cypriot retail trade as it was the first supermarket chain e-store to offer island-wide coverage.

In fact, the huge success of the e-store accelerated the implementation of the project’s next phase: the creation of a second distribution centre and the reinforcement of the company’s fleet with new trucks. It is worth noting that, along with running its e-store, the company still maintains its collaboration with Foody.