Customers unable to get to the shops can buy an e-gift card online. It can then be emailed directly to the person doing their shopping and used in any Waitrose store.

The retailer said the e-gift card provides elderly, vulnerable and self-isolating households with a contact-free way to pay for their shopping without having to take out cash or share bank card details.

It follows the government’s recruitment drive last month for NHS Volunteer responders who could help those in self-isolation with essential tasks such as grocery shopping and assisting pharmacies with medication deliveries. The initiative has already attracted more than 750,000 volunteers.

Bérangère Michel, executive director of customer service at the John Lewis Partnership, said: “We are pleased to be able to support our customers and the nation’s brilliant army of volunteers during these unprecedented times.

“Local communities have really rallied around those unable to get to the shops themselves and we want to make it as simple as possible for kind-hearted volunteers to get essential groceries to them.”

How the gift cards work

The e-gift cards will be available for purchase in £10 denominations up to £500.

When purchasing the e-gift card, customers will be asked to enter their own or their volunteer’s email address so they can receive a copy of the e-gift card.  This can then be printed out or saved to a phone and presented at the checkout in-store.

Customers can check the balance of their e-gift card online to keep track of their grocery spending.

The cards will be valid for two years from the date of issue.