Applegreen plc has announced that it will support Blood Bike Leinster by providing free fuel to their volunteers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Blood Bike Leinster operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year delivering a confidential specialist medical logistical service to the HSE hospital groups, medical centres and hospices primarily in the Leinster region.The Blood Bikes are now handling essential logistics in the fight against COVID-19 by providing transport for tests kits between test centres and the laboratories.
Aldi today confirmed it has lifted temporary purchase restrictions on all products in its stores across the country, with the exception of a small number of products that continue to have the four units restriction in place such as handwash. These products with restrictions will be clearly marked on the price card, the discounter said. Temporary restrictions to limit the number of items shoppers could purchase had been in place since 12 March. The relaxing of purchase limits follows a return to more consistent levels of trading across all its 142 stores, it said. The retailer said that it has experienced a 6% increase in contactless transactions since the Government introduced Covid-19 restrictions on 12 March.
Brand and design company 3:rock had to evolve to help tackle its clients urgent requests during the crisis. The Clondalkin-based signage company had to quickly adapt to its clients needs to produce signage and freestanding sanitation stations for doctors surgeries, and essential stores."COVID-19 is sweeping through Ireland so therefore sanitation stations and warning displays are now essential if we are all going to get through this crisis," said Keith Nolan, head of product design at 3:rock.
Drinks manufacturer Pernod Ricard said two bond sales on Wednesday totalling €1.5 billion, which will be used to refinance bank debt facilities, were heavily subscribed. Pernod Ricard said it received offers worth €5.5 billion ($6.03 billion) for the bonds on offer, reports Reuters. The new issue included a €750 million bond due in April 2030 at a spread of 185 basis points and another €750 million paper due in April 2025 at 150 basis points.The bonds carried coupons of 1.750% and 1.125% respectively.
Lidl Ireland has extended its dedicated food donation appeal which it first introduced recently, to support those in need during the Coronavirus crisis. Lidl is appealing to customers who would like to purchase an extra tinned or long shelf-life product to leave it in a dedicated table in stores now until Tuesday, 14 April. The donations will then be distributed through FoodCloud to local charities and food banks, the retailer said. "It’s clear that local community groups are under increasing pressure due to this crisis so as such we will be extending this appeal in hopes to support them as much as possible," said J.P. Scally, managing director, Lidl Ireland.
Finnish retailer S Group has said that the number of visitors to its online Foodie.fi platform has more than doubled in the past two weeks, which is putting pressure on fulfilling orders. The group said that it has recruited additional employees to address delivery issues, with some users only able to avail of delivery windows one week later, reports ESM Magazine. It said that the congestion has been caused by fears over the spread of coronavirus, with increased numbers of Finnish consumers choosing to shop from home.
© 2020 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
