(Yicai Global) April 21 -- Shanghai’s big retailers are gradually getting back to business as the Covid-19 outbreak that has paralyzed the city for almost a month comes under control. A number are also introducing mobile solutions such as supermarkets-on-wheels and online sales to help customers receive their daily supplies, according to Yicai Global research.

German wholesale giant Metro’s outlets in the city’s Jinshan and Songjiang districts have reopened with strict Covid-19 safety protocols in place and are allowing a limited number of customers in the shops at any one time.

Its stores in Putuo, Jiading, Jinshan, Qingpu, Minhang and Hongkou districts are receiving online orders. Residents in the neighborhood can place their orders through the Metro app or WeChat miniprogram. Staff will put them together and place them in a designated area for couriers to collect.

The Metro mall in Minhang has been thoroughly disinfected prior to reopening, general manager Hu Xinde told Yicai Global. The head office has organised personnel from all over China, including Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, to come to the Minhang mall to help out, he added.

French hypermarket chain Carrefour has a fleet of supermarkets-on-wheels taking groceries to nearby residents. These deliveries by electric bus are meeting the group orders placed by eight nearby residential communities, said Zhang Liangwei, manager of Carrefour’s Yingcao outlet. Deliveries are one to three times a week, enough to meet their daily shopping needs.

Local retail giant Bailan has 721 directly operated stores or franchises under its Lianhua Supermarket and Century Lianhua chains that have re-opened in the city. Another five types of shops, including hypermarkets, supermarkets and maternity stores, have resumed operations in Jinshan district. Residents must have green health codes to enter.

Editor: Kim Taylor