Thousands hit DIY and plant shops as Phase One kicks in
GREEN shoots emerged on day one of lockdown restriction being lifted yesterday, as thousands of people flocked to reopened DIY and gardening shops.
Customers formed safe, orderly queues outside stores from early yesterday. Hardware stores, farmers’ markets, garden centres, electrical stores, car dealerships, bicycle repair shops, tennis and other sports clubs, and opticians all reopened on the first day of Phase One.
However, customers were met with a very different retail experience, with strict social distancing measures in place.
At Blanchardstown Shopping Centre in Dublin, hundreds of people queued from 8am to go into DIY store Woodie’s and electronics store DID Electrical.
The CEO of Woodie’s, Declan Ronayne, noted customers appeared to be buying in bulk to avoid a return trip and more waiting in queues.
‘Our average transaction value – so the amount an average customer is going to buy – has trebled,’ he said. ‘People are coming in, doing the big shop, and don’t intend to come again.’
He added that most custom focused on the great outdoors – as essential gardening purchases topped shopping lists.
At Homebase in Santry, Dublin, staff reported that people started queuing as early as 6.45am.
However, David Fitzsimons, CEO of Retail Excellence Ireland, said that while the rush to shops is welcomed, ‘we’re in for a long, hard road ahead’. Speaking on day one of Phase One yesterday, Health Minister Simon Harris reminded people that ‘just because somewhere is open does not mean we have to go’. lisa.o’donnell@dailymail.ie
‘Long, hard road ahead’