Shoppers at Retail Crossing Superspar have complained about the entrance carpet outside the store as it causes shoppers to trip and their trolleys to fall over. Little Falls residents, Detlef and Sonja Maier, have both tripped on the carpet.
Detlef Maier (57) was the first to be tripped up by the carpet on 13 December last year when his trolley bumped up against the side of the carpet. According to his wife Sonja, he flew over the three-tier trolley and landed on his shoulder. A good Samaritan helped him up and a Spar employee asked how he was.
Store manager Paul Chammas phoned Sonja (54) back after she complained and the incident was verified by surveillance footage. “He was very apologetic and said he was going to take the matter up with their head office. He offered to pay for all medical costs. As only the ligaments in my husband’s shoulder were injured he did not want to go to hospital for X-rays. He still has not regained full use of his arm but is doing exercises to help,” Sonja said.
About a week later, Sonja spoke to Chammas again and he apparently insisted on the gift of a cake for the inconvenience. Chammas’s advice to Sonja was to write a formal complaint which she did not do as it was the middle of the festive season.
Then on 19 February, Sonja tripped and sustained bruises to her right leg. This time there were about four shop assistants that helped Sonja. According to Sonja, Chammas was again very apologetic and told her that three of the store managers had taken this matter up with the Spar head office.
Retail Crossing Superspar store manager Anthony Preyer said, “We have contacted the carpet manufacturer and a new fringe will be put on the carpet. They thought the rubber buffer would soften and flatten with time but trolleys hook on the fringe because the rubber is too hard. By next week, there should be a flatter fringe on the carpet. We have taken precautions. There is a member of staff permanently at the entrance to assist customers,” Preyer concluded.
Details: Retail Crossing Superspar, 011 475 0884.
