Stay safe in store and in customers' homes

Update • April 12

Non-essential retailing has re-opened on April 12 allowing flooring stores in England and Wales to re-open to the public.

Many furnishing stores in Scotland have already re-opened with the rest of the non-essential shops due to re-open on April 26. The Northern Ireland government is yet to confirm plans.

• Face masks must still be worn by staff and customers
• Social distancing rules still apply
  
• Shop may extend their opening hours until 10:00pm to help alleviate crowding indoors
• Home visits are already allowable with appropriate health precautions

The rules on social distancing apply at least up until June 12 by which time a further announcement will have been made.

• Limit number of entry and exit points into and out of store.
• Consider having separate entrance and exit points if possible.
• Use a colleague to meet customers, explain the social distancing requirements and control the number of customers entering.
• Place clear signage outside of the store explaining the social distancing measures in place that customers should follow.
• Encourage customers to shop alone or as a couple only wherever possible. Please bear in mind that this is not always possible.
• Schedule deliveries to avoid crowding in delivery areas.

• Limit the number of customers in the store at any time.
  
• Assess the size of the store and its layout, this will enable you to calculate the number of customers who can reasonably follow 2m social distancing. For typical stores, this has been calculated at 10 sq. m. for each customer (see latest report)
  
• Ensure aisles/walkways are as clear as possible to accommodate 2m social distancing, including some removal of promotional fixtures, lecterns and tombolas.
• In smaller stores, consider whether one-customer-at-a-time and/or an appointment-only system is appropriate.
  
• Use floor markings inside to facilitate compliance with the social distancing advice of 2 metres.
• Place clear signage throughout the store, reminding customers of the social distancing measures and asking them to follow these rules.
  
• Consider one-way systems using floor markings and signage to highlight system and direction.
• Use flexiplastic screens to provide a barrier for those working on the tills. These should be included in store cleaning programmes.
• If necessary, use staff to manage the flow of customers to pay points.Where counters are close together, consider closing some.
• Leave non-essential doors open to minimise the number of people who touch them. This does not apply to fire doors.
  

• Encourage very regular hand washing
• Provide cleaning stations around the store including hand sanitiser and/or disinfectant wipes or spray.
• Identify and regularly clean key touch points eg. door handles, keypads, stair handrails.
• Encourage customer to leave out pattern books/samples after use so that they can be sanitised between customers. Do not allow pattern books off-site.
  
• Limit tills, workstations and equipment (even pens!) to one person per shift
  
• Encourage cashless purchases.
• Consider whether it is safe to keep customer toilets open or if these should be available on request.  If open, regular cleaning should include manual multi-person touch points such as door handles, flushes, taps. etc.

• Ask reps to confirm visiting times and ensure you have adequate staffing to deal with them safely. Encourage visits during your quietest times.
• Designate a "social distancing champion" to monitor and encourage best practice on your premises.