Boots is closing its in-store beauty and fragrance counters as part of measures to protect its staff and customers during the coronavirus outbreak. However, the retailer is encouraging affected staff to switch to working in its healthcare and pharmacy departments, which will remain open as part of the government’s plan to maintain essential services amid the wider retail lockdown announced last night.
Boots has also confirmed that most of its opticians and hearingcare stores will temporarily close. A small number will remain open to offer services for people with essential eye and hearing care needs.
Seb James, Managing Director of Boots UK, said: “Boots has a unique role to play during this time, and our duty and focus is to ensure that pharmacy, healthcare and a wide range of the essential products that we sell are available to those who need them.”
NAM Implications:
- Scope/need for Beauty & Fragrance suppliers to accelerate the transition to online?
- …and conduct ‘what-ifs’ re post-crisis strategies…
- …given that a reversal of online supply is unlikely.
