Whilst it still remains uncertain when the government will give non-essential retailers the green light to reopen their stores, firms are being offered advice on the kind of social distancing and hygiene measures that will need to be implemented to help contain the coronavirus outbreak over the longer term.
A new guidance has been published by the BRC, in conjunction with Usdaw, based on government advice as well as the lessons learned by essential retailers in recent weeks.
Some of the measures include limiting the number of entry and exit points in and out of stores, restricting the number of customers in stores at any time, scheduling deliveries to avoid crowding, cleaning lift buttons and handrails regularly, closing changing rooms, and using floor markings to remind customers to maintain a distance of 2m.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Retailers are closely following developments from Government on when restrictions might be eased and are starting to plan accordingly. The safety and wellbeing of retail colleagues and customers remains the highest priority and these guidelines aim to support everyone in the industry.”
She added: “Continued close collaboration with Government, including public support for the steps retailers are taking and adequate notice to get supply chains up and running, will mean that retail businesses can start trading again slowly and safely, and customers can feel confident that they are safe to return to shops.”
Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis added: “Non-food retail should only start trading again when expert public health advice agrees. However, we need to be ready and we need to make sure that the proper preparations and measures are put in place.”
Some retailers that had temporarily shut stores at the start of the lockdown are beginning to reopen after introducing new social distancing controls.
Homebase reopened 20 of its stores for a trial period at the weekend, following the lead of its rival B&Q which started trading from 155 of its 300 stores last week. However, hardware shops had always been included on the government’s list of essential retailers that were allowed to trade under the restrictions.
The boss of shoe repair firm Timpson, James Timpson, said on Twitter yesterday that it will reopen 40 of its outlets based in supermarkets this week.
Meanwhile, The Mail on Sunday reported that John Lewis has drawn up a blueprint for reopening its 50 shops that it will be ready to activate within weeks.
Andrew Murphy, the Partnership’s executive director of operations, said the chain could begin reopening some stores as soon as the middle of next month. However, he emphasised it was a “portable” strategy and made it clear the company would wait for a signal from the Government and health chiefs before triggering the operation.
Last week, the group warned that annual sales could fall by up to 35% in the John Lewis chain, while Waitrose might see a more modest decline of less than 5%.
Related item: Will shoppers return to the UK high street after lockdown? – see The Guardian website
NAM Implications:
- Extra pressure via reduced traffic, super-savvy consumers, increased costs related to payroll, logistics, and in-store safety.
- Welcome to the radically changed world of retail…
