Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
The Ipsos-run survey for workforce management solutions company Rotageek found that while 67% of respondents are worried about their own job security, at least 60% of retail workers are willing to retrain in another role, as a delivery driver or security professional, to be able to retain their job.
Chris McCullough, chief executive of workforce management solutions Rotageek, said: “The country’s retailers and their workforce are demonstrating resilience and flexibility in the face of a crisis. Covid-19 has driven an immediate need for retailers and staff to be flexible in working practices and to focus on employee wellbeing. The retailers that are going to flourish in the long term are the ones that invest in digital and physical transformation, and those that put their employees first.”
In addition, the survey shows that 74% of shoppers are worried about contracting the virus in stores, while 56% are worried about contracting Covid-19 at their place of work.
The survey also reveals that 86% of consumers are worried about the right social distancing measures being in place, and sensible queueing and check-out procedures catered for.
Around 80% of shoppers are still doing their shopping in physical stores, with 20% doing so because they prefer the customer experience within a high street retail outlet.
McCullough added: “The high level of physical store use, and the preference for bricks-and-mortar retail, is really positive for the recovery of UK retail, which is such an important economic driver” and. “Those concerned about contracting coronavirus in stores can, in the main, be reassured by the huge effort retailers have made to implement physical barriers, queuing procedures and digital solutions to protect shoppers and staff.”
