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This week's news
NEWS DIGEST
CORONAVIRUS TAKES THE LIVES OF FIVE RETAILERS
CORONAVIRUS HAS BEGUN TO TAKE ITS TOLL ON THE INDUSTRY INTHE WORST POSSIBLE WAY WITH FIVE UK RETAILERS SUCCUMBINGTO THE VIRUS.
With convenience stores among the few businesses able to remain open during the current coronavirus lockdown and despite committed efforts to effectively manage social distancing, the virus has tragically claimed the lives of at least five local retailers across the UK.
Kent retailer Krishnasamy Chiyamalan of Templeton News, who was in his 40s, passed away at his home on April 4th while Leicester Spar retailer Raj Aggarwal succumbed on April 9th. Watford newsagent Himanshu Patel died on April 15th, Milton retailer Waqar Hussain Choudary died on Friday and a South London retailer known only as Kumar reportedly died last week.
LOCKDOWN EXTENDED FOR THREE MORE WEEKS
Last week saw the UK government extend the coronavirus lockdown period for at least three more weeks. The Foreign Secretary set out five areas which the Government would need to be satisfied with before adjusting the current measures: Q Protect the NHS’s ability to cope. Q See a sustained and consistent fall in the daily death rates so they are confident that we have moved beyond the peak.
Need to have reliable data showing the rate of infection is decreasing to manageable levels.
Need to be confident the range of operational challenges, including testing capacity and PPE, are in hand, with supply able to meet future demand.
Need to be confident any adjustments to current measures will not risk a second peak of infections that overwhelm the NHS.
FAST-TRACKED DELIVEROO SERVICE
PayPoint has announced apartnership with Deliverooallowing retailers to be live withBritain’s leading online fooddelivery company in just a fewdays.
Deliveries will be orderedby consumers through theDeliveroo app as normal andfulfi lled by its rider networkwithin 30 minutes. All deliverieswill be contact free. PayPointstores will go live gradually onDeliveroo in a phased rollout.To fi nd out more, call0330 400 0003 or visit www.paypoint.com/deliveroo
COSTCUTTER CONTACTLESS CONVERSION
Costcutter updated its CPoSsystem in less than a week toallow the contactless paymentincrease to £45. Over 850pinpads across 415 CPoSStores were able to offer theirshoppers the contactlesspayment increase in time forthe Easter weekend.
With the update in place,shoppers can now buy alarger basket of products whilemaintaining social distancingand avoiding hand to handcontact via cash payment.
