08 October 2021
Dear Valued Supplier Partner,
I am writing to provide you with an update on the COVID-19 situation and the continued support that we need from you to ensure that we deliver full availability and a safe shopping environment for our customers and workplace for our respective team members.
Supplier Representatives in NSW
In line with NSW regulations that will come into effect this Monday 11 October, please find guidance for Supplier Representatives that support our stores. This guidance will be effective as of Monday 11 October in NSW:
- 1. Fully vaccinated supplier representatives / field team members may as of Monday 11 October attend our stores as required
- 2. Non-vaccinated representatives / field team members must continue to follow existing rules that require them to work from home where practicable
- 3. Coles team members in NSW will not be checking vaccination status for any supplier representatives/field teams. Coles expects our suppliers to ensure only fully vaccinated team members attend and that supplier team members carry evidence of their vaccination status as required by NSW Health.
National Availability
Supply Network
As we strive to provide a safe environment for our team and community, we have been making dynamic changes to our operations to drive an effective & compliant supply chain flow throughout the entire network. This includes our distribution centres and stores. We appreciate your support and understanding while we collectively work through these challenges, ensuring continuity of service to our community with the best possible availability.
To achieve this can we please ask for your support to ensure booked deliveries into our network are in in full and on time. This helps in ensuring that the safest and most efficient resource plan is in place to achieve effective stock flow into our DCs and out to stores.
COVID Safe Plans
With the ongoing challenges and dynamic environment now, it is critical to ensure that your business continues to operate with a Covid Safe Action Plan. Please ensure that your Covid Safe Action Plans are refreshed in line with the latest guidelines for your state and that they are fully complied with. Please also reach out to your relevant supply chain team contacts to update on any risks or impacts to operations or product flow so proactive actions are in place to mitigate risks or communicate impacts.
Shipping delays and Port disruption
As you would be aware, the global supply chain is undergoing significant longer-term challenges. Ongoing shipping delays and port disruptions are severely impacting lead times. To drive product supply security, could we ask for your support to ensure that increased lead times are continuously being reviewed and applied into your planning schedules and any risks clearly communicated to our teams in a timely manner. This will help ensure we are addressing any shelf edge impacts proactively and avoid disappointing our customers.
We will also be placing regular updates on the Supplier Portal as details become available so we would recommend you visit the portal frequently during this challenging period. If you have any questions on this direction, please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss further.
As always, thank you for your ongoing support and partnership to Coles through this challenging time.
Thank you
Greg Davis
Chief Executive, Commercial & Express
