// Superdrug to remain open “where necessary” during coronavirus pandemic
// The retailer will operate on reduced hours
// Till points and pharmacy counters have been installed with perspex screens
Superdrug has introduced new protective measurements to keep its colleagues and customers safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
The health and beauty retailer said its stores would remain open where needed to serve the community, following the government’s recent announcement to shut down all non-essential services.
It will not keep stores open if it does not have enough staff to help out.
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Superdrug will review the situation on a store-by-store basis each day, and clarify on its website and social channels what stores will open.
Any open stores will operate on reduced hours of 10am to 5pm to ensure there is enough time for deep cleaning and stocking of shelves.
Superdrug chief executive Peter Macnab wrote in a letter to customers that the team was “working hard to ensure that Superdrug can continue to make essential products, like baby milk, nappies, hand wash, sanitiser, general medicines, pharmacy prescriptions and OTC medicines, available”.
“People rely on us for over one million healthcare products a week and it’s for these customers that we’ve stayed open,” he said.
“From today our focus will be on keeping open stores where we are necessary to support the local community. We won’t open if we don’t have enough people to do this safely.”
Moreover, Superdrug has introduced perspex screens at till points and pharmacy counters to minimise the risk of Covid-19 transmission, and has included two-metre distance floor markers.
In addition, the retailer has included extra card-only tills, removed all testers and restricted the number of customers per store at any one time.
Last week, Superdrug parent company AS Watson introduced an employee support package of £40 million to help Superdrug, Savers and The Perfume Shop staff battle through the pandemic.
The package includes full pay for parents who are unable to work remotely or in another business situation, due to school closures, and became effective from March 23.
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