Kurt Geiger and Reiss are among some of the upmarket retailers to report positive trading on the first day of their stores reopening from lockdown.
June 15 was the first day ‘non-essential’ retailers, such as clothing firms, could start serving customers again in stores in England. They had all previously been ordered to close in March due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Companies have implemented various health and safety measures to promote social distancing, such as one-way systems, and having hand sanitiser stations on site.
The Evening Standard asked a number of upmarket retailers about how business was on the reopening day.
Footwear and accessories company Kurt Geiger opened 24 of its 57 UK sites on June 15. Sales across its England shops that reopened yesterday were up around 50% on the same day last year, with its Covent Garden and Westfield Shepherd's Bush branches seeing sales more than double.
Kurt Geiger’s boss Neil Clifford said the day was better than expected. However he cautioned that yesterday was “obviously different to what a normal day would be and we really need consistency on a day by day basis for us to be truly encouraged”.
Fashion firm Reiss yesterday reopened 28 standalone stores and 13 concessions. Chief executive Christos Angelides, said: “As expected footfall was lower than last year but those who shopped, did so with intent, resulting in sales being higher than last year and much better than we anticipated.”
Angelides said more branches will open towards the end of the week but Reiss will continue to monitor the situation very closely. He added that the online division continues to perform well.
William Skinner, managing director of suit maker Dege & Skinner, based on Savile Row, said: “We had a number of fittings which was a good start to reopening. It has been good to see our customers again. The footfall however appeared to be a less than a normal Monday.”
But he added: “We have had more customers booking appointments for the rest of the week, this has been a positive start to reopening, and we are working hard to keep our bespoke customers happy.”
