The supermarket chains of the Rewe Group will no longer give FFP2 masks to customers free of charge. But there is also an exception.
In the morning, the announced end of the Merkur markets surprised all of Austria. Rewe is merging the popular brand with Billa, and Merkur will become “Billa Plus” from April. In the afternoon, the group followed up with another announcement!
Between January 25 and 27, Billa, Merkur and Penny handed out the now mandatory FFP2 masks to their customers free of charge. This generosity is also over now.
“In the next few days, the FFP2 masks will go on sale again at a price of 59 cents per piece or 5.90 euros per ten pieces,” said Rewe in a broadcast on Thursday afternoon.
This step is argued with the fact that most customers are already provided with FFP2 masks. However, CEO Marcel Haraszti promises: “If customers forget their FFP2 mask, they can still receive a free FFP2 mask on request at the cash desk – as was already the case with mouth and nose protection. As long as stocks last.”
Read more: Merkur becomes Billa Plus – That is changing for you
Since last week around 4 million FFP2 masks have already been given or sold. The majority of customers would also adhere to the new regulation. More than 90 percent of customers already enter the branches with FFP2 masks, “Rewe continues. In the interests of environmental protection, customers are advised to use the masks several times for purchases.
In addition, the FFP2 masks are offered at a price of 59 cents per FFP2 mask and sold in normal household quantities (5 pieces per purchase or a pack of 10 per purchase). The food retail trade offers FFP2 masks at the lowest possible price – but at most at cost price – in order to guarantee affordability for the population.
FFP2 masks are generally more expensive than conventional mouth and nose protection. “In view of the production and transport costs, the price of 59 cents therefore includes our financial contribution so that low-income households can also afford FFP2 masks. This is our investment to support the fight against the pandemic,” concluded Haraszti.
