Next to reopen 25 branches from June 15 as coronavirus lockdown rules ease
NEXT has revealed plans to reopen 25 stores from June 15 as coronavirus lockdown rules ease.
The fashion and homeware retailer wouldn't confirm the exact locations but says stores reopening will be larger shops in out of town locations.
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It adds that more of its 500 shops will follow, reopening over the coming weeks from June 15.
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Stores will look different when they're reopened though as Next says there will be limits to customer numbers, queuing systems in place outside of stores, exit and entry management systems, signs on social distancing in place, and one-way arrow marked routes around stores in some places.
There will also be screens at the tills to protect both customers and staff, PPE available for staff to wear (at their choice), hand sanitisation stations, and regular cleaning of equipment.
Next says these larger stores are better placed to reopen first as their locations means there's more space for shoppers to queue, plus they typically have longer opening hours meaning shoppers are less likely to be in stores at the same time.
Non-essential retailers are allowed to reopen from June 15 but government guidance says fitting rooms will be closed, while covers will be placed over large items such as sofas and beds.
Next closed its stores and temporarily stopped online trading when the UK went into coronavirus lockdown back in March.
As a non-essential retailer Next was banned from keeping stores open during the lockdown although it is allowed to continue trading online.
It reopened its website in April once it had agreed a way to safely do so, but stock sold out in a matter of hours and it began limiting the number of orders made each day to keep warehouse staff and delivery workers safe.
The retailer says refund rights will remain the same as usual in reopened stores, but adds that shoppers have 28 days from when stores reopen to return items bought within 28 days of Next’s stores closing on March 23.
Next has also revealed plans during lockdown to launch five standalone beauty halls in former Debenhams department stores.
More on coronavirus
The government has gradually been lifting lockdown measures, with garden centres and homeware stores allowed to reopen this month, and outdoor markets and car showrooms allowed to reopen from June 1.
Fast-food chains have also begun reopening for takeaway orders only. They were allowed to remain open during lockdown for takeaways but many initially shut their doors while they worked out how to operate safely during the epidemic.
Hairdressers, nail bars, beauty salons, and the hospitality sector, remain closed until at least July 4.