A rainbow of discounts in store tomorrow – with up to 60% off !

such as installing hand sanitisers at our entrances.’

So what can we expect from our ‘new normal’ shopping experience?

First, not all branches of all stores are opening tomorrow. Many chains have chosen to stagger their openings, starting with just a few. If all goes well, they will increase numbers over the next few weeks.

‘We are taking a cautious and gradual approach to reopening,’ says Naomi Gillies, of John Lewis, which will see just two stores – Kingston and Poole – operating tomorrow.

‘We will be closely monitoring the effectiveness of our measures.’

The Arcadia group, which owns high street favourites Wallis, Dorothy Perkins, Evans and Topshop, is altering opening hours so that staff don’t have to travel during rush hour.

All are reducing the number of customers allowed inside for social-distancing purposes, so expect queues – you may even have to wait your turn to get into certain parts of the store.

Many larger shops with multiple doors will have just one or two open to help control the number of people inside.

Expect hosts to meet you as you enter to explain the new set-up, to have to follow one- way systems marked on the floor, and to wait longer for lifts as only one person or a family will be allowed inside at a time. In fact, most shops are encouraging customers to come alone.

You will still be able to t ouch the goods but there may be fewer things to buy as many stores are removing racks to give more space for social distancing.

Fitting rooms will generally be closed ( some, including Reiss and Hobbs, are planning to keep theirs open), as will cafes and toilets.

In-store services such as bra fittings and make-up trials will also be suspended for the time being.

Tills will look different too – staff, all wearing PPE, will be behind Perspex screens and some stores are only accepting card payments rather than cash, with contactless preferred.

Many that have closed their fitting rooms have lengthened their exchange times – M&S will now give you 60 days to return an item. For goods returned to the store, most are following Government guidelines and quarantining them for 72 hours.

Shopping centres are also restricting the number of people allowed to enter, so expect queues to get in at busy times.

This may mean waiting at the main doors or at the entrance to a car park – parking will also be limited, with some spaces closed off.

Expect one-way systems of movement, plenty of hand sanitiser stations and for seating areas to be closed off. Food courts will also be shut, although some restaurants are doing takeaways. Many malls, such as Meadowhall in Sheffield, are opening their toilets but with an enhanced cleaning regime.

So enjoy your shopping for bargains – but expect queues and an awful lot of cleaning wherever you go!