The Warehouse and Noel Leeming can now supply a range of necessities online, including heaters, laptops and baby supplies, amid New Zealand's Alert Level 4 COVID-19 lockdown.
The move follows the Government's expansion of what is considered an 'essential good' on Monday.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) announced in a statement that the sale of goods such as heaters, baby supplies, whiteware, bedding and fridges is now permitted under lockdown protocol.
The Government's list of essential items, which was previously limited to groceries, pharmaceuticals and personal care products available at pharmacies and supermarkets, now includes goods that keep people warm; maintain people's health; key household appliances and technology that allows Kiwis to effectively work or study from home.
A limited range of essential items will be available online via The Warehouse and Noel Leeming from later this week.
Orders will be fulfilled from 18 locations, including The Warehouse Group's (TWG) two national distribution centres, six The Warehouse locations and 10 Noel Leeming locations nationwide. Goods will be delivered in a contactless way, TWG confirmed in a statement.
TWG's commercial branch will also supply the Government and essential businesses with key items.
On Tuesday, Smiths City confirmed in a statement it will also offer a limited range of its products and services to the public, as did Mitre 10.
Items available from The Warehouse will include:
- hygiene, health, beauty and personal care products
- baby supplies
- bedding, blankets and other homeware
- heating appliances
- engine oil
- batteries.
Goods available from Noel Leeming will include:
- computer accessories and routers
- laptops
- items for cooking and food prep such as toasters, kettles, ovens and fridges
- replacement items such as washing machines
- heating appliances and air purification systems.
TWG reiterated that staff will be complying with stringent hygiene requirements and social distancing guidelines.
MBIE has warned companies that failing to adhere to the stringent protocols will have consequences.
"If businesses are too generous in their interpretation of what is 'essential' or flout these rules, the Government will take further action," it said.
In order to be sell essential goods, businesses must:
- only take orders online or by phone and keep storefronts shut
- only take orders for essential, non-food goods
- home deliver all essential goods in a contactless way and prohibit people from visiting stores to select or collect goods
- take all appropriate public health measures to protect their staff and customers (such as physical distancing, hygiene etiquette and appropriate personal protective equipment)
- inform MBIE of their intention to sell essential goods and provide a list of the relevant products.
