Carpetright, Tapi stay open
November 5, 2020
Major flooring chains Carpetright and Tapi say they are still open for business across some 400 stores despite the national lockdown that was voted through in Parlliament last night.
Carpetright's Covid-19 update yesterday says: "We have reviewed the regulations and we would like to reassure all our customers that our stores (except those in Wales and Republic of Ireland) will remain open.
"You can continue to shop safely with us in our stores, book one of our in-home or virtual appointments, shop online or with one of our telesales consultants if you prefer," says the company's statement.
"You can continue to shop safely with us in our stores, book one of our in-home or virtual appointments, shop online or with one of our telesales consultants if you prefer," says the company's statement.
Tapi also says its "stores are open as normal" and encourages customers to "pop-in or book an appointment with one of our flooring experts." Customers can shop individually or in pairs. And there's a system to have customers wait in their car park and be texted when the store is ready for them to come in.
Both retailers are also arranging home visits by sales staff (excluding Wales) as well as continuing fitting services.
The Government's restrictions do not appear to allow furnishing stores to open – the closest exempted category is "hardware". The "homewares" exemption that many flooring retailers used to stay open or re-open early in the March–May lockdown is specifically not present in the the current list of exemptions.
Retailers are advised to contact their local authority trading standards department for guidance if they are considering how to continue trading during the lockdown.
Unambiguously, retail stores can continue to sell during the lockdown with video appointments and telephone selling allowed and click and collect facilities permitted. Warehousing , distribution and deliveries of flooring to customers homes is OK as are fitting visits with appropriate social distancing.
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