Wickes launches phased store reopening plan
DIY retailer Wickes has unveiled plans for a phased reopening of its stores following the coronavirus crisis.
After conducting a trial at six stores, the retailer will now open up stores across the rest of its estate over the next two weeks.
A total of 106 stores will open today while the remaining 108 shops will get back to business on 19 May.
New health and safety measures have been introduced in-store including sanitising stations, perspex screens at tills, PPE for staff and two metre social distancing markers on the floor. The retailer will also limit the number of people entering a store at any one time.
Wickes chief executive David Wood said: “In recent weeks we have taken time to review in great detail how to operate our stores safely in the wake of covid-19 and we are confident we have put the right measures in place to achieve this.
“We have measured customers’ experience in the Wickes trial stores, with eight out of ten describing their experience as “excellent” with regard to feeling safe and secure.”
The retailer will be operating different trading hours to those before the coronavirus crisis began. Shops will open Monday to Saturday from either 6am or 7am to either at 4pm or 5pm. Meanwhile, Sunday trading hours will remain the same at 10am to 4pm.
