COVID-19 UPDATE: NEWS SPECIAL

RETAILERS URGED TO MAINTAIN 2M RULE

LOCAL RETAILERS IN SCOTLAND AND ACROSS THE UK ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING AT 2M DESPITE THE INTRODUCTION OF MANDATORY FACE COVERINGS IN SCOTTISH STORES.

Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw is urging retailers to maintain social distancing in shops at two metres, as agreed in joint safety guidance, despite the Scottish Government announcing that face coverings will be mandatory in shops from this Friday. The union also calls on customers to respect staff who have to enforce safety in stores.

Stewart Forrest, Usdaw’s Scottish Divisional Officer, said: “Usdaw worked with the Scottish Retail Consortium on joint safety guidance for shops based on the two-metre rule and in our experience retailers have taken that seriously and are complying. We see no reason why that should be relaxed now that the Scottish Government has made face coverings mandatory in stores.

“We accept face coverings can limit the spread of the virus, but they do more to protect others rather than the wearer and that needs to be understood.”

‘HUNDREDS OF MPS’ BACK CO-OP ON PROTECTION

AS THE UK GOVERNMENT REJECTS PROPOSALS FOR A NEW LAWTO HELP SAFEGUARD SHOP WORKERS, THE CO-OP RECRUITSHUNDREDS OF MPS TO DEMAND BETTER PROTECTION.

Despite the UK Government rejecting proposals for a new law to offer better protection for shop workers, hundreds of MPs from across the country have teamed up with Central England Co-op to back a campaign calling for better protection for colleagues dealing with would-be criminals who use coronavirus as a verbal and physical threat.

Today the retailer, which operates over 260 food stores across 16 counties, joins forces with over 200 parliamentarians from across the political divide to reinforce its message

to keep staff and customers safe and that any type of crime from burglaries to violence and aggression towards staff would ‘not be tolerated’ during these uncertain times.

Heather Wheeler, MP for South Derbyshire, commented: “I am disappointed to have heard about the abuse that some key shop workers have been facing for just doing their job and helping people. I do not condone this behaviour and am appalled to hear that staff have been treated this way. It is selfish to behave this way and we cannot let this violent and threatening behaviour stand.”

FARESHARE ADDS 150 MORE PARTNERS

FareShare, the UK’s biggest food redistribution charity, has signed up almost 150 more retail and food businesses to divert surplus food or donate food to organisations supporting people in need since lockdown measures began.

Before the pandemic, FareShare worked with around 600 partners to divert surplus food that would have otherwise been wasted to frontline charities such as homeless hostels, food banks and domestic violence refuges.

As a result of lockdown and Premiership footballer Marcus Rashford’s public plea to the food industry to support FareShare in getting food to those most affected by the crisis, an additional 144 businesses across the supply chain signed up to help.

FareShare has now tripled the amount of food it distributes each week, providing enough food last week alone for charities and community groups across the UK to deliver over 3.2 million meals.

D&G RESTRICTIONS LIFTED

Local restrictions in Dumfries and Galloway have been lifted following a cluster of coronavirus cases last week in the Annan and Gretna areas. The Scottish Government says the outbreak is now contained so travel is no longer restricted to five miles and care home visiting is now permitted.

The Test and Protect system was used to identify contacts of the original positive cases and contain the virus.

The cluster now involves 12 positive cases and 23 contacts who are isolating.

PRICE WAR LOOMING

Tesco is reportedly pressuringsuppliers to switch to everydaylow pricing and effectivelyreduce their prices as thesupermarket prepares for aprice war with Aldi. Tesco willreportedly also permit onlypromotions that come under itsClubcard loyalty scheme.

M&S RELAUNCHES SPARKS

Marks & Spencer isrelaunching its Sparks loyaltyprogramme as a ‘digital first’scheme to provide memberswith a more personalisedexperience.

B&M BOOST

B&M has made a strong startto the new financial year withgroup revenue increasing by27.7% to £1.15bn in its firstquarter. UK revenue rose by33.7% to £987.8m as like-forlikesales climbed 26.9%.

FREE T FOR PUBS

Tennent’s has launched a newcampaign for the on-tradesupplying complimentary kegsfor around 2,000 licencespremises in Scotland as part ofits ‘Dedicated to You’ activity.

CHILD- FRIENDLY SANITISING STATION

Visual communications specialist Ultima Displays has unveiled a brightly coloured multiheight sanitising unit specifically designed to be fun, friendly, and durable to help children aged 3 to 11 engage proactively with hygiene practices.

The Kid’s Multi-Height Sanitising Unit complies with all Government guidance, is very stable and has no sharp edges. The dispenser height can be adjusted to four different positions, from 500mm – 900mm.

To find out further information, please visit Ultima’s website.