Sports Direct hikes home gym prices by 50% after boss Mike Ashley claims stores must stay open
SPORTS Direct has hiked the prices of home gym equipment by more than 50 per cent today as people try to keep fit during a lockdown.
It comes on the same day that its billionaire Mike Ashley demanded that staff head into work today "as instructed", despite the government ordering all non-essential stores to close immediately.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
To follow us on Facebook, simply .
Get Britain's best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day - .
But over at Jack Wills, one member of staff told PA that workers are sitting in stores waiting for instructions.
One said: "We feel like we're putting ourselves and others at risk by not staying at home like the government has told us to. I've got colleagues feeling frustrated and angry.
"We feel disrespected by Mike Ashley's decisions to try and keep the company trading.
"The lack of communication and plan when they knew this was likely is embarrassing."
The retailer said it is contacting the government "at all levels" in an attempt to get confirmation from the Prime Minister.
The group wrote to all workers within 30 minutes of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to shut down non-essential retailers, telling them its position selling sporting and fitness equipment made it a vital asset during a national shutdown.
In the original letter, Mr Wootton said: "Against the backdrop of the closure of gyms the demand for these types of products has increased exponentially as the population looks to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
"Consequently, we are uniquely well placed to help keep the UK as fit and healthy as possible during this crisis and thus our Sports Direct and Evans Cycles stores will remain open where possible to allow us to do this (in accordance with the Government's current social distancing guidance)."
Labour MP Jess Phillips also criticised the appeal to keep stores open, tweeting: "Massive mugs notwithstanding there is nothing people cannot live without in Sports Direct."
Rival retailers such as JD Sports have confirmed that stores will remain shut until Government guidance changes.
The Sun has contacted Sports Direct for comment.