Suppliers are working to get deliveries to pet shops back on track after being hit by staff absences caused by the ‘pingdemic’ – people being notified to self-isolate by the covid app on their phones.
In the week up to July 21, the app sent 700,000 alerts to users in England and Wales, asking them to self-isolate.
James Lawson, CEO at Inspired Pet Nutrition, was one of those who said his firm had been affected: “Along with many other manufacturers in the critical food supply sector, the pingdemic has caused a significant proportion of our operational colleagues to be isolating. At one stage we had more than 75% of the workforce working in the extrusion section off work which significantly impacted output.
“However, we have since had many people return after their 10-day isolation and we are now running two long shifts rather than three standard shifts to keep production at normal levels.”
DISRUPTED
Vital Pet Products was also compelled to take action. A spokesperson said: “We have been hearing from some suppliers that production has been disrupted. The impact we felt in the warehouse was promptly dealt with by bringing in agency staff, which generates a little extra work for us but ensured a continued smooth experience for our customers.”
The pingdemic has been doubly problematic for retailers facing shortages of both staff and stock.
“For a small business, with limited numbers of staff, it’s very difficult to manage such short-notice unscheduled absences,” said Sammie Hunt, of Devon-based retailer Redpaw Products. “Arranging cover of shifts and having to pay overtime is hard. Covid has been an ongoing financial strain, but the huge increase of ‘pings’ is making it more difficult.”
“Another issue we have encountered is the knock-on effect of other business being pinged – deliveries being delayed due to lack of drivers and warehouse staff.”
Janine Tozer, of Not Just Pets in Bath and Frome, added: “There have been delivery driver shortages and warnings from suppliers about problems they are experiencing in that they cannot maintain the levels of staffing because of the pingdemic, so yes, it has had a knock-on effect.”
