An Inside Look: What Will a Post-Lockdown High-Street Store Look Like?

What Will a Post-Lockdown High-street Store Look Like? I’ve taken a look inside M&S and Primark on London's Oxford Street to see what their stores will look like on Monday when all non-essential shops will reopen in England. On Monday the 15th June non-essential shops in England will begin to reopen. While this is very exciting news for many. I'm intrigued to find out what this new shopping landscape will look like. What preventative measures are in place to help protect shoppers and what can you expect as the new normal come Monday. I have interviews from store managers in M&S & Primark explaining the changes and what they are doing to ensure the safety of the public. Would you go back into shops right now? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Shopping centres and retail stores will look and operate a little differently compared to three months ago at the start of the pandemic. Alongside myself Carl Thompson, shopping expert Gok Wan and media doctor Dr Zoe Williams were granted early access to a handful of London’s iconic high-street stores to find out what customers can expect when they open their doors once more.

Shopping centres and shops have put the wellbeing and welfare of customers and staff at the forefront of the measures being implemented to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus. There will be restrictions on the number of customers entering stores and close- contact services such as clothes fitting, and make-up are to remain suspended until further notice. In order to reduce congestion and limit contact, customers may be required to queue, follow a one-way system or enter and exit the shop differently than before.

Whilst shopping centres and shops have implemented changes, there are key behaviours the public will be expected to adopt themselves in order to reduce the risk of transmission.

This includes using hand sanitiser where possible, following social distancing guidance by keeping two meters apart. Wearing face coverings is recommended especially in enclosed spaces where social distancing isn’t possible. In addition, shoppers are expected to use contactless and be prepared for a queue for each shop they want to enter.

Shopping expert and TV Star Gok Wan comments: “Shopping centres and shops are going to look and feel a little different to what we are used to, and getting a sneak preview was a great way to see first-hand what shops are doing to keep their customers and staff safe. We’ve been doing it for supermarkets already, but be prepared to queue up and you may need to follow a one-way system in store, which are all designed to limit contact with other shoppers. Guidance will be different depending on what shopping centre or shop you’re going to, so it’s important to read any new signs that have been put up that will let you know what you can and can’t touch. While it’s a change to what we are used to, I am confident we will all adjust very quickly. The key thing to remember is to respect the guidelines, stick to social distancing, and be patient and as adaptable as we can be.”

Media doctor, Dr Zoe Williams comments: “Shops have implemented a number of measures to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus in order to protect the public and their staff. In addition to the number of changes that stores have made, it’s important that everyone planning to visit the shops does so responsibly. We must do our absolute best to keep a two-meter distance between ourselves, other shoppers and store staff. Use hand sanitiser where possible and avoid touching your face. It is recommended to wear a face covering when social distancing isn’t possible, which you can make easily enough at home yourself. All of these things will help reduce the risk of transmission. Most importantly, if you or anyone in your household has symptoms, please do not leave the house to go shopping, as this puts others at risk and we do not want to reverse the releasing of lockdown. The shops will be there once you are better or through your isolation period. As a reminder for anyone with symptoms, you can book a test online at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. It is easy and quick to get a test. You should get your test and results in a matter of days and if negative, you can get back to the shops!”

Steve Rowe, M&S CEO comments: “We are set up and ready to serve our customers when retail re-opens its doors on Monday. We’ve learnt a huge amount from trading our food halls over the last 12 weeks and our teams will take that brilliant working knowledge of social distancing and hygiene measures over to the clothing sections of their stores. As one of the nation’s most trusted retailers – it’s our job to help give customers the confidence to shop – and we’ve been working round the clock to make sure everyone feels safe and welcome in our stores. Whilst things may look and feel a little different, customers can rely on the same great service they expect from M&S.”

Detailed protective measures are being implemented in shopping centres and shops to reduce the risk of transmission; some of these include:

Limiting the number of people in stores and implementing a one-way system to limit contact.
Changing the usual exit and entry points to avoid congestion.
Inserting barriers at till points to reduce contact between staff and customers.
Encouraging contactless payment over cash transactions to minimise the risk of transmission.
New store signage may have been installed informing customers of what they can and cannot touch.
In most cases fitting rooms will be closed to reduce the risk of transmission.

If you or a member of the household has symptoms of coronavirus, you must not visit a shopping centre, a shop or any public space. If you or any other adult in your household shows any symptoms including a new continuous cough; a high temperature; a loss of, or change in your normal sense of taste or smell, it’s vital to stay at home and book a test to check if you have the virus as soon as you can. You can book a test on the website: nhs.uk/coronavirus or via 119.

For more information on how to shop safely, visit gov.uk/coronvirus