COVID-19 UPDATE

PHASE 3 IN SCOTLAND: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT HAS BEGUN IMPLEMENTING PHASE 3 OF ITS STAGED EXIT FROM LOCKDOWN PLAN WITH IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS FOR LOCAL RETAILERS.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said last week that coronavirus had been suppressed to a “low level”, allowing Scotland to enter Phase 3 of the stepped exit from lockdown. Some key elements of Phase 3 include: Q People are allowed to meet up in extended groups outdoors, and with two other households indoors.

Exemptions to the 2m physical distancing rule were also introduced, although the use of face coverings in shops will be mandatory.

Indoor areas of bars and restaurants can reopen today.

Couples who do not live together no longer have to physically distance.

Shopping centres were able to reopen from Monday and dentists and optometrists are now allowed to begin scaling up their work again.

Hairdressers and barbers will also resume business today – along with libraries, museums and cinemas.

Personal retail services like beauticians and nail salons can start up from next Wednesday.

Universities and colleges can implement a phased return from next Wednesday, while schools are due to reopen from 11 August.

CUSTOMERS TO WEAR FACE MASKS IN ENGLAND, BUT NOT STAFF

WEARING A FACE COVERING IN SHOPS IN ENGLAND IS TO BECOMEMANDATORY FROM NEXT FRIDAY, ALTHOUGH THE NEW RULE WILLNOT APPLY TO STORE STAFF.

Next Friday will see England following the lead set in Scotland as

face masks become compulsory for customers in all stores, with those who fail to comply facing a fine of up to £100. The move will bring England into line with Scotland, although the rules in England will not apply to store staff.

Just are there are north of the border, there will be exemptions including children under 11 and those with certain disabilities.

“It is about managing the overall risk,” said Environment Secretary George Eustice. “Any type of covering will be sufficient for this purpose.”

The delay between the announcement and the rule coming into force next Friday has been designed to give customers time to prepare.

Retailers will not be expected to enforce the new rules, a task that lies with the police, although store staff will be “encouraged” to prompt customers to comply.

In Scotland, police did not issue a single fine across Scotland over the first weekend of compulsory face coverings.

C-STORES TO BENEFIT FROM VAT CUT

Local retailers will indeed benefit from the reduced rate of VAT on specific food and drink sales. Confusion arose after the Chancellor announced that the rate of VAT would be cut from 20% to 5% on eat-in or hot takeaway food but failed to clarify whether convenience stores would be eligible for the cut.

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) and the Scottish Grocers’ Federation Promptly sought clarity on the issue.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman welcomed the confirmation from the government: “Food service is a significant growth area in the convenience sector which will receive even more of a boost during the reduced VAT period, and with customers able to eat food at tables put outside the store.”

70% TO STICK WITH HOME DELIVERY

Some seven in 10 consumers plan on continuing to use convenience store delivery services more in the future, even after Covid-19 has passed, according to new research from HIM & MCA Insight. Less positively, well over half of consumers (59%) say they are unaware that convenience stores offer home delivery services.

Only 6% plan on using home delivery less frequently. Amongst current nonusers, 46% say they will start using convenience store delivery services in the future, highlighting the opportunity to widen the active consumer base.

The three biggest barriers to consumers using on-demand convenience are product cost, delivery fees and wanting to walk to store.

BOOTS CUTS STAFF

Boots has announced plans tocut around 7% of its workforcewithin retail, head office andopticians in order to mitigatethe impact of Covid-19.

FURLOUGH FRAUD

HMRC investigations arenow under way to claw backmoney from fraudulent claimsmade to the government’sfurlough scheme. One manwas reportedly arrested onsuspicion of defrauding thescheme out of nearly half amillion pounds.

TESTING EXTENDED

The Department of Health andSocial Care has announcedthat shop workers in someareas and businesses will betested for Covid-19 as part ofa new pilot, even though theyhave no symptoms.

WASTE NOT

Zero Waste Scotlandhas launched an onlinematchmaking service to“rescue food” that wouldotherwise be wasted duringCovid-19.

FACE MASK COMPLIANCE SOLUTION

PoS Insights has developed a new system that is able to capture, analyse and report on face mask compliance in-store, either in a single site or across a retailer’s estate.

The system makes use of a store’s existing CCTV network and can highlight the number of people within a store as well as how many are wearing suitable face coverings.

The London-based firm says its software does not violate EU data privacy laws as its technology “doesn’t identify people and no CCTV feed or imagery is stored or transmitted”.

To find out more, visit www.pos-insights.com.