Camera stores start to open
In a special news report, we talk to some major camera retailers who’ve decided to open stores from 15 June – an exciting, but also challenging, time for the industry
Camera retailers have faced a perfect storm this year: a gale-force assault caused by shrinking high-street footfall, ever-improving smartphones luring customers away, and of course, the massive impact of the lockdown. They’ve been fighting back though, as regular readers of AP’s news pages will know, proactively keeping customers engaged, running lots of tempting promotions in tandem with big camera and lens makers, and supporting furloughed staff during uncertain times. The good news is that ‘non- essential’ retail stores are now able to open to the public again from 15 June, so we caught up with some leading retailers to find out how they’ve been getting ready, and what their customers can expect in the new, postlockdown normal.
‘ We’re looking forward to opening on the 15th, but our opening times will be reduced from 10am to 4pm – this is to ensure we optimise staff and reduce the need to rotate different teams, reducing the risk of Covid-19 spread and infection,’ said Paul Wareham, marketing director of Wex Photo Video. ‘ Those stores open on a Sunday will open six days a week, Monday to Saturday. Times and days will be under constant review. If customer demand is high, then the opening hours may be revised to ensure that we can cater for the customers’ needs.’
Paul points out that in-store services such as sensor cleaning and trade-in will still be offered. Hand sanitiser stations will also be positioned in every store for customers to use, but it won’t be a case of just walking in and browsing, as in the pre-virus days. ‘ When customers arrive, they will wait in a sectioned- off area until a staff member becomes free to assist. The customer will then be called forward by a member of staff, who will show them what they want to see. Both the customer and the staff member will keep two metres apart, and all products will be wiped down after they have been handled.’
Grays of Westminster, the used Nikon specialist based in central
‘With “cosy” shops, we can’t allow more than two people in a service area’
London, is taking similar high-level precautions, and is operating an appointments- only system. ‘ We’re also doing our utmost to prevent and kill whatever this virus is,’ says owner and founder, Gray Levett. ‘ We are utilising the most effective products for eradicating this virus, namely Decon7, which is a patented, EPA-registered disinfectant, food- contact surface sanitizer, deodorizer, and chemical cleaner.’ Gray adds that the store will also be carrying out enhanced cleaning and hand washing procedures.
Park Cameras, meanwhile, is opening its Burgess Hill and London stores from 15 June. ‘ We are very fortunate to have large stores where the two-metre social distancing will not be an issue,’ said spokesperson Roscoe Atkins. ‘However, we will be limiting the numbers in store, so it might be necessary to queue at times, but we don’t expect customers will have to wait long, if at all. There are physical screens at till points, we will ask all customers to use hand sanitiser on entry and all equipment will be wiped after each touch. We welcome customers to trade in their kit either for cash or to get some new kit, and we will be wiping down (as well as wearing gloves) in order to safely handle goods to be tested. Items will be quarantined for 72 hours before we take the next steps to prepare them for re-sale. We have reduced our opening hours in both stores, with Burgess Hill open from 9-5:30pm Monday to Saturday and the London store open from 106:30pm Monday to Saturday. Both stores will be closed on Sunday. This will be revised as we adapt, so please check our website for the latest opening times – as well as great prices on some very exciting new products.’
Over at CameraWorld, the plan is to have a phased reopening, with the Stevenage and Chelmsford branches opening on the 15th, the company said. ‘ There might be a queue, as we will be limiting the number of customers allowed in-store at any one time. Our colleagues will be on hand to make sure we have a safe number of people inside the store and to help with social distancing. As we have “cosy” shops, we cannot allow more than two people in a service area at the same time.’
At Wilkinson Cameras, meanwhile, five stores are to open on the 15th, from 9:30- 5pm. As with other retailers, social distancing will be in place, and staff will be in PPE for demos, with other procedures in place. Gloves and masks will be provided for customers. ‘ We are very much looking forward to the next few weeks as a learning curve,’ said the company’s David Parkinson.
Lots to look forward to
What about the situation in other regions of the UK? ‘I’m afraid that Scottish law is a little bit stricter, so at the moment we are still not allowed to open to the general public,’ says Alister Bowie of Inverness-based Ffordes Photographic, which sells both new and quality used cameras and lenses. ‘ We will open when it is safe to do so, with hand sanitiser at the door for customers, and the option of face masks and gloves.’
AP wishes the best of luck to everyone. Remember, even if a retailer’s shop is closed, most are very active online. There are some great deals to be had, and you can get expert advice – something you will never receive from an anonymous box shifter.