COVID-19 lockdown: DMart hands out time coupons, keeps 24-hour outlets open to avoid rush

“When I used to go in the morning, once I had to wait for one-and-half-hours under the sun. This coupon system is good. I was given 2 am and there were just two people in the queue and I could go in immediately and buy,” said Bhushan Mane, a resident of Andher -i who visited Sahar Road’s DMart outlet in Mumbai.

Rohit Pal, who is a customer of Bandra said, “As long as we are getting essentials and we do not have to stand in long queues, we do not mind coming at 3 am or 4 am.”

This move was decided after it shut 50 percent of its outlets due to the lockdown and COVID-19 restrictions imposed by local authorities.

When Moneycontrol reached out to DMar, it refused to comment.

However, in a separate statement to exchanges, Avenue Supermarts said, ”Nearly 50 percent of our stores remain closed for operations based on a directive by the local authorities.”

The company is retailing only essential items from the operating stores and average footfall is "significantly lower than usual".

DMart also commenced e-commerce home delivery and bulk deliveries to large housing complexes across the majority of its stores during April.

DMart is an 18-year-old company multi-story hypermarket chain. Currently, DMart operates in 206 stores country-wide and has sufficient stock. But, the staff strength in some cities has reduced by 80-90 percent.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown from midnight of March 24, but essential items like groceries were allowed to function.

A lack of clarity and overzealous policing besides fear has impacted movement so much so that stores selling essential items are running short-staffed.