Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
The government says that food shops, supermarkets, garden centres and certain other retailers providing essential goods and services can remain open when the lockdown starts on Thursday (5 November).
However, it is warning that such “essential” retail outlets must ensure they follow Covid-secure guidelines to protect customers, visitors and workers from infection.
It has ordered other businesses and venues to close from Thursday, including all non-essential retail such as clothing and electronics stores, travel agents, betting shops, tailors, tobacco and vape shops, to try and bring down infection rates.
The government said: “These new measures have been carefully judged to achieve the maximum reduction in growth in the number of cases, preventing the NHS from being overwhelmed, whilst ensuring that schools, colleges and universities stay open and that as many people as possible continue to work.”
The four-week lockdown across England will last until 2 December although there is a chance it could be extended if infection rates do not fall during November.
Stuart Reddish, president of trade organisation the NFRN, said: “Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, our members have never stopped putting their communities first, ensuring customers have access to all the essentials they need. For the next four weeks and beyond, they will continue to be a very stable point of contact in such a strange and challenging time.
“As before, we will continue to support members by sharing government and supplier announcements, through our hardship fund which we created to alleviate some of the financial pressures that independent retailers may be facing and through advice and help with home delivery services.”
Retailers say they are ready for the new lockdown with store safety measures in place for some months. Harry Goraya, who runs a Nisa Local in Northfleet, Kent, said: “We are following Covid protocols and have already put in loads of measures to protect staff and customers.
“Social distancing is already operated and we also ensure that shopping baskets are sanitized after every use and trolleys are regularly cleaned.
“I have 14 staff and they all wear masks and we also have screen protectors at the till.
“The biggest problem we have is people flouting the mask rule and claiming they are exempt but they carry no proof of this while all other shoppers are obeying the rules.
“We stop the discussion with them at that point because it can become a volatile situation!
“A lot of retailers were expecting this a bit earlier and so we are in a good place for the new lockdown.
“Hopefully, it will have a positive impact on the number of cases but I have a feeling it could be extended into next year if that doesn’t happen.”
Sandeep Bains, who runs a Simply Fresh outlet in Faversham, Kent, said: “We have continued with the social distancing and hygiene practices that were imposed in March so are ready for another lockdown.
“This new lockdown has not come out of the blue for us, although there have not been many cases around here, so we are certainly ready for it in terms of social distancing and other hygiene measures.
“We are more than ready to keep serving our customers in the new lockdown.”
Another retailer, Paul Cheema, said: “The government seems to be forcing the high street to close once again. It is a worrying time for everybody.
“I just wish the government had done this a bit earlier when it was advised to do so by its scientific team.
“If everybody behaves, we can get through this but when people don’t behave it is dangerous.
“With our shoppers wearing face masks, for example, we have 99% compliance but 1% think they are above the law and shouldn’t have to do it.
“That is when it is dangerous and worrying for everybody working in my stores.”
Cheema, who operates two Nisa outlets in Coventry, added: “We have everything in place in our stores to ensure safety for staff and shoppers during this next lockdown through social distancing, hand sanitisers and warning signs pointing out the Covid guidelines.
“We are all worried about the new lockdown but we will just take each day as it comes.”
Hospitality venues including restaurants, bars and pubs must close on Thursday but can still provide takeaway and delivery services but takeaway sales of alcohol will not be allowed.
Workers in any part of the UK can retain their job, even if their employer cannot afford to pay them, and be paid at least 80% of their salary up to £2,500 a month.
The flexibility of the current coronavirus job retention scheme (CJRS) will be retained to allow employees to continue to work where they can.
All employers are eligible and, because more businesses will need to close, they will now be asked to pay just national insurance and pensions contributions for their staff during the month of November.
