Superdrug has said its stores will remain open where needed to serve the community, following the government’s move at the start of the week to shut down all non-essential retail businesses.
The health & beauty retailer’s CEO Peter Macnab said: “Our priority is always the health and wellbeing of our team and our customers and we are doing everything we can to provide the right service to everyone. Our teams are working hard to ensure that we can continue to make essential products, like baby milk, nappies, hand wash, sanitiser, general medicines, pharmacy prescriptions and OTC medicines, available. People rely on us for over 1 million healthcare products a week and it’s for these customers that we’ve stayed open.”
However, Superdrug warned that some stores might have to close if there are staff shortages. It will review the situation on a store-by-store basis each day, and clarify on its website and social channels what stores will open.
Following similar moves by the supermarkets, Superdrug is introducing social distancing measures in its stores. These include two metre distancing, perspex screens at till points and pharmacy counters, extra card only tills, the removal of testers and restricting the number of customers per store at any one time.
Stores will also operate on reduced hours of 10am to 5pm to ensure there is enough time for deep cleaning and stocking of shelves.
Earlier this week, the retailer’s parent company A.S. Watson introduced an employee support package of £40m to help Superdrug, Savers and The Perfume Shop staff battle through the coronavirus crisis.
NAM Implications:
- A common sense, pragmatic approach…
- …that will be appreciated now…
- …but even more when a new normality is defined.
