Covid confusion is on a different level!
EXPLAINED: WHY ONE TESCO SUPERMARKET CAN’T SELL THE SAME ‘NON-ESSENTIAL’ ITEMS AS ANOTHER BRANCH JUST TWO MILES AWAY
EXPERTS say the Government’s recent lockdown guidance has confused retailers – as pictures show some of the changes made by stores operating under the varying new restrictions.
Supermarkets and shops selling food are able to remain open as they are essential businesses.
However, there are restrictions for a business that has “sufficiently distinct parts” – such as a section providing “essential” retail and another for “non-essential retail”.
Under the measures, nonessential sections should close to “limit interactions between customers”.
This means that Tesco’s clothing and general merchandise departments in supermarkets, which are often on a separate floor, have been shut to the public.
Independent retail analyst Nelson Blackley explained: “There is a lot of understandable confusion and frustration among both shoppers, retail management and staff both about the seemingly arbitrary nature of the regulations around retail during this second lockdown across England, and the way in which they have been communicated.
“The impact on many major retailers is quite significant as they often have stores with different layouts. So, while they can continue to sell non-essential products alongside food ranges if they are on the same floor, they can’t sell them if they’re on a different or separate floor.
“There doesn’t appear to be much, if any, science behind these regulations. Indeed, it might be argued that allowing customers access to all parts of a large store on different floors would actually help reduce congestion and aid social distancing.
“Delayed, and inconsistent, guidance from Government means many of the retailers still able to trade during lockdown have now been required to block access to some parts of their stores, but not in all locations.
“For example, the large Tesco Extra in Beeston sells groceries on the ground floor and clothing, electrical, homeware, stationery, books, and entertainment products on a mezzanine floor.
“So currently this ‘non-food’ floor is closed – although, just two miles away, the Tesco Extra store at Toton – which happens to be on one floor only – can continue to offer their customers access to all ranges, whether food or nonfoods.”
Changes have also been seen at
WH Smith, in Lister Gate, with the store’s first floor temporarily closed. Its ground floor remains open.
But the entire shop floor of Sainsbury’s, at Castle Marina, remains open to the public, with clothing still on sale.
Mr Blackley said: “More widely, there has been understandable criticism from all those retailers classified as ‘non-essential’ – and who have been forced to close, once again, during lockdown – about the fact that the major grocers and other food retailers have been allowed to sell non-food ranges and so benefit at their expense.”
A Tesco spokesperson said: “In line with new Government guidance in England, which requires the closure of separate floors selling non-food items, we have closed the clothing and general merchandise departments in our stores that sell these products from a separate mezzanine level.”
A Government spokeswoman said: “We recognise this continues to be a very difficult period for businesses, which is why we’ve confirmed that there will be a full package of financial support in place, with the furlough scheme extended and grants worth up to £3,000 per month for businesses required to close.”