Retailers in the UK Chalk Out Plans to Reopen with Enhanced Safety Measures

Food processing groups and retailers have been an important cog in the wheel to make Covid-19 induced lockdowns a success. The idea was to restrict people from mass gatherings, which is proving fruitful, the UK has seen a reduction in the rate of new coronavirus cases emerging on a daily basis and believes that it is within touching distance of the end of the tunnel.

Meanwhile, in the UK, Britain based DIY household items retailer, B&Q limited has reportedly commenced trading across the country. The High street retailer deals in the essentials category and has opened all its stores for the public with enhanced safety protocols. These safety protocols include, people visiting stores in batches so that physical distancing can be implemented. The stores are equipped with perspex screens at billing counters to minimise contact and are sanitised regularly. Also, people are advised to switch to non-cash methods of making payments. The retailer also allows two people to shop simultaneously, considering the product lines of the company. Another DIY household goods retailer, Homebase will be resuming operations shortly while ensuring the safety of its potential and existing customers.

UK’s food retailers are also likely to open soon. Pret a Manger would be commencing operations at nearly 30 stores. The company would be open for delivery and takeaways of sandwiches while accepting orders from Just Eat and Deliveroo. The company is likely to observe social distancing in carrying out its operations. Some of the popular fast-food giants have reopened stores but only for takeaway or delivery.

However, there are a few retailers who are reluctant to open their stores as they feel the footfall of the customers cannot be controlled, and physical distancing might go for a toss. Popular bakery, Greggs initially was planning to reopen shortly since the shutdown due to Covid-19 induced lockdown was expected to end. The company is now working out different methods to ensure that social distancing is upheld. Once the safety measures are in place, the company open its doors for the public in a controlled environment.

In the last ninety days, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus has wreaked havoc on the global markets. This deadly virus has claimed more than 225 thousand lives across the world. The rapid spread of this pandemic has induced negative sentiments among the investors. The situation further got aggravated by the fall of the crude, which recently made the highlights when it started trading in the negative zone.

The pandemic has devastated most of the sectors; the airline carriers are grounded. The countries have imposed lockdowns, and the travel has been restricted as people are asked to stay at home. Almost, all the economic activities have come to a halt. Hence, the demand for oil has gone down significantly. On the flip side, the world’s major oil producers continued pumping oil in the markets, and due to oversupply of crude, the prices turned negative last week. As of now, the crude seems to be recovering along with the world major stock indices. The central banks have reduced the interest rates around the world, and weakening of the dollar has further contributed to the global meltdown.

The governments across the world-imposed lockdowns as physical distancing was the only possible solution to contain the spread of the virus. For making this lockdown sustainable and successful, it was imperative of the governments to keep the supply of the essentials up and running. It is no brainer that food supplies are critical and essential. The food retailers have done a decent job in keeping the supply chain intact even in these crucial times. The food retailers directly cater to the end consumers both via online platforms or brick and mortar setup.

In March 2020, many stores ceased operations following the guidance issued by the British government in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. The monthly retail sales volume was down by 5.1 per cent. However, the food retailers and online essential providers did well in monthly retail sales volume, according to the March 2020 data. The food retailers specifically recorded double-digit growth of 10.4 per cent. As the customer base shifted to online platforms amid the coronavirus crisis, the online sales as a percentage of combined retail (both online and physical stores) recorded a hike of 22.3 per cent in March 2020.

How would the food retailers shape up once the lockdown restrictions due to Covid-19 are removed?

The British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, who recently recovered from the novel coronavirus, said that the United Kingdom has apparently passed the peak of the deadly pandemic, which claimed more than 26 thousand lives in the country. The British government will be rolling out sector-specific plans to put the economy on the path to recovery. Unwell people would be advised to stay away from food packaging, supply chains and retailing businesses. Food retailers would implement good hygiene practices in food preparation and handling areas. Also, unwell people would self-quarantine themselves or seek help from the NHS.

• Food processing units

People working in the food processing plants are supposed to use face masks and PPE. They need to practice good hygiene. As far as possible, social distancing guidelines should be followed along with frequent hand washing.

• Supermarkets

Supermarkets need to limit the access of walk-in customers to avoid congestion and must deploy queue management systems to ensure physical distancing and adequate spacing between individuals. Also, they should request customers to refrain from panic buying in order to ensure accessibility to essentials for everyone.

• Takeaways and dine-in restaurants

The customers would place their orders via online platforms or phone. The orders would be collected from a designated area, and social distancing could be applied. For the eateries, that have space issues, customers would be allowed to pick up their orders at a given time slot so that queuing could be avoided.

Inside the retail shops, the surfaces which are touched frequently would be disinfected regularly. The 2-metre rule is not just limited to the kitchen, but also to external public areas such as the collection point or restrooms. The people would be reminded time and again to frequently wash their hands and maintain physical distancing. In addition, floor markings should be done to indicate the distance between individuals in the queues. Wherever required, hand sanitisers should be placed.