The pandemic has caused tough times for all retailers, in particular for clothing stores who have felt the sharp decline in sales in high street properties. All stores have implemented measures to ensure customer safety, following government advice, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been given £14 million to support businesses making stores safe.

Ensuring safe social distancing for shoppers means implementing one-way systems around stores, closing of changing rooms, and limiting the number of people allowed in-store at any given time. However, not all customers have been willing to adhere to the new rules, unfortunately, meaning the use of extra security to protect both customers and staff.

The government has encouraged stores to use signage floor markings to encourage social distancing, as well as direct customers through one-way systems.

Stores have been required to carry out risk assessments overseen by local authority staff and the HSE, and as part of that, stores developed hygiene procedures, increasing the frequency of hand-washing and surface cleaning.

There have been physical measures to safeguard against the spread of the coronavirus, such as screens or barriers to separate people from each other, and the provision of sanitising materials such as hand sanitiser, hand washing stations, and cleaning materials for baskets and trollies.

Not only have customers been allowed into stores in limited numbers, but workers’ arrival and departure times are being staggered to prevent overcrowding.

Customers are also encouraged to use contactless payment methods to prevent the spread of the virus through contact with cash or cards and card readers.

Unique to clothing stores are changing rooms for trying on apparel, which has been closed during the pandemic, and customers are encouraged to try on new purchases at home, and some retailers have extended their returns policies. However, returns needs to be kept separate from new clothing.

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