- Queue considerately
- Maintain social distancing
- Follow instructions inside and outside shops
- Follow all necessary hygiene measures
- Be respectful to shop staff
The reopening of non-essential shops on Monday marks a crucial time for hundreds of retailers and thousands of jobs in Scotland. Retail is Scotland’s largest private sector employer, and according to the SRC’s Scottish Retail Sales Monitor, retail sales in Scotland fell significantly in April and May.
Retailers are working hard to ensure they are prepared and their stores are safe for staff and customers by implementing the necessary social distancing measures, such as plexiglass screens at counters, signs and floor markings around the store, and new rotas and procedures for cleaning and hygiene.
Stewart Forrest - Usdaw’s Scottish Divisional Officer said: “Unfortunately the early part of the coronavirus crisis saw a rise in instances of abuse towards shop workers, and we are absolutely clear that ‘abuse is not part of the job'. Along with the SRC and Scottish Government we have collaborated to produce guidance for shops of all sizes and locations to provide staff and customers with a safe shopping experience. Customers need to play their part and be patient, observe social distancing and show respect to shop workers, whilst ensuring high streets and town centres remain vibrant and a great shopping experience for everyone”.
David Lonsdale, Director the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: “It has never been more important to play our part in keeping our towns and retail destinations vibrant. Every visit we make helps support jobs in retail and throughout the supply chain. Retailers have been working around the clock to create a safe shopping environment, so their customers can have the confidence to return to their favourite shops. Our shopping experience may be changing, but if we all follow the necessary social distancing and hygiene measures and show consideration to those around us, then everyone will be better off.”
Fiona Hyslop MSP, the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work & Culture, said: “Being able to reopen our non-essential retail businesses with necessary safety measures in place is a positive step forward in easing the coronavirus lockdown in Scotland. We each have an important role in ensuring we shop with care and consideration for others, and that rules are adhered to in a responsible manner.
“I'd like to thank the Scottish Retail Consortium and Usdaw for working closely with us in producing official guidance on trading safely, and everyone in the sector for all that they are doing to ensure customers and staff can shop and work safely and with confidence. With more shops in Scotland reopening, this is also a great opportunity to support the our local high streets and those businesses who are so important to our economy and communities.”
“By adopting social distancing measures and these simple steps we can encourage more considerate shopping behaviour, which will ensure all staff and members of the public enjoy using our high streets; and importantly feel safe doing so.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 400,000 members. Membership has increased by more than one-third over the last couple of decades. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter
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