Retailers on the Frontline: Meet Ashani

Here at Payzone, we’re very proud of our retailers, as many have gone above and beyond to help their vulnerable customers.

That’s why we’ve launched our brand new Retailers on the Frontline Awards, as voted for by customers. Our customers have been busy giving us some great feedback through the survey at the bottom of their Payzone receipts. So we’ve been visiting the nominated retailers to say thank you in person, and present them with a gift voucher as a small token of our appreciation.

We also thought it was a great opportunity to share some of the fantastic work that Payzone retailers have been doing within their communities.

Meet Ashani

The Ritzmart store is based in Watford, in the county of Hertfordshire. Customers who visit Ritzmart can purchase newspapers, niche groceries, stationeries, alcohol, soft drinks, Evri courier, tobacco and Payzone top-ups.

Ashani and her husband have been running the popular store since April 2017 and it is very much a family business. Ashani describes the community who rely on the shop as her family too. “Most of my customers are regular,” explained Ashani “So I really feel like I know a majority of them very well.”

So, what has Ashani and her family been doing since the outbreak of coronavirus?

Since the COVID 19 outbreak, Ashani has worked hard to implement social distancing and keep the shop open. Ritzmart opening hours have even been extended to help people who were struggling to find a store open nearby. Ashani felt it was important to accept all payment types at the shop including cash, as many low-income customers do not have access to a bank account.

Ashani commented that British Gas customers, in particular, were really happy about the extended opening hours. At one point, Ritzmart was the only shop offering British Gas top-ups in the South Oxhey area during the peak of the pandemic.

“We covered a very large geographical area.” Said Ashani. “We decided to open up the store for longer hours to meet the needs of our customers and I think they’re very grateful for that.”

By keeping their store open and extending their opening hours, Ashani and her husband have helped to ensure that vulnerable and the elderly people in the area have not been left without gas or electricity.

To Ashani, her family and those all those who work at Ritzmart, thank you.