Following on from Boris Johson's announcement that 'non-essential' retailers will be allowed to open their doors to shoppers from June 15, shops up and down the country are bracing themselves to reopen.
Clothes stores, shoe shops and beauty counters are all amongst the retailers given the green light to reopen, and brands are expecting huge footfall as shoppers descend on the high street for the first time since March.
However, in order to reopen, shops will need to ensure that they are following strict guidelines, and shoppers, too, will need to adhere to them.
These new guidelines mean that shopping will take on a 'new normal', and retail therapy will look like never before.
Michael Gove has said that shoppers will have to “exercise restraint” by not trying on clothing and testing goods.
The Cabinet Office minister said shopping habits will have to change, telling BBC Breakfast on Tuesday: “When it comes to touching and testing goods, when it comes to trying on clothing, when it comes to trying make-up and so on, that all of us exercise restraint in not doing that and recognising that as these stores reopen, it is a new normal, but it will allow us to ensure there are a wider range of goods and will also ensure the economy can return to a new normal, that is absolutely vital for people’s jobs.”
PA reports that the Government has also said that fitting rooms should be closed when possible due to the challenges in operating them safely.
When fitting rooms need to be open, contact between customers and staff should be limited and they should be cleaned frequently, typically after each use.
Clothes that have been tried on should also be managed carefully.
Store layouts may need to change to limit the amount customers handle merchandise, which may include different methods of displaying products or regularly replacing frequently touched stock.
Shops will have to carry out and pass a risk assessment to identify any activities which may help transmit the virus and limit the spread.
As well as informing all employees about the assessment’s findings, companies with more than 50 employees will be expected to publish the results on their website.
Shops will need to develop hygiene procedures, increasing the frequency of hand-washing and surface cleaning.
Businesses will also have to allow staff to work from home as much as possible.
Social distancing will need to be maintained as much as possible, including having more entry points to a store if possible.
Where social distancing cannot be maintained, all steps will need to be taken to manage transmission risk.
The Government has said businesses may face fines and prison sentences of up to two years if they fail to protect customers and staff.
