Shoppers urged to ‘wear masks and keep safe’
SHOPPERS in Scotland have been reminded over maskwearing and distancing as retailers look to claw back
£4.1 billion in lost sales since the start of the pandemic.
From yesterday, “non-essential” shops are allowed to open their doors to the public after being shuttered since Boxing Day, with millions spent on safety-proofing them against Covid transmission.
The Scottish Retail Consortium urged shoppers to queue considerately and be mindful over distancing and mask-wearing after “four long months of closure” for shops.
It expects an “initial surge” as customers venture out but said the “real test will be how this holds up”.
Director David Lonsdale said: “Retailers have spent millions of pounds to make shops Covid-secure .
“We encourage Scots to get out and visit their favourite shops over the coming weeks, knowing every purchase they make and every item they buy is a local job supported and a high street helped.
“Unlocking consumer spending will be central to Scotland’s economic recovery and to bouncing back quickly.
“Many of us will be looking forward to returning to our favourite shop in the coming weeks and we all have a duty to keep each other safe.”
Lush on Edinburgh’s Princes Street had a small queue of people waiting outside for its doors to open yesterday.
Manager Alan Brown said that staff had been looking forward to welcoming back customers.
He said: “We’re all really excited, we’ve been preparing for the last few weeks with lots of training, getting all the new products out as well.
“We’re just really excited to be speaking to people again after such a long time.”
He added he was looking forward to “a bit of laughter, a bit of fun” inside the store with the return of customers.
Queues also formed outside the nearby Zara store while some shops opened extra early.
Primark on Princes Street welcomed shoppers at 7.30am, and one shopper said she was delighted to be back in the store.
She said: “It’s great fun, I got loads – jammies, a jacket, socks, a pair of jeans, stuff for the kids – they were running riot, they thought it was great.”
Meanwhile, the public were asked to think about staying local and supporting businesses in struggling town centre high streets.
Phil Prentice of Scotland’s Towns Partnership says it is vital that economic recovery from the pandemic grows from the grassroots.
He said: “By supporting your local businesses you will be helping the national recovery. The importance of today for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses cannot be underestimated.
“Their survival, however, depends on support. And the most critical support comes from the community. This is a chance to rediscover and celebrate what’s on our doorstep.”