// Wilko stores to remain open amid pandemic
// The retailer was recognised as ‘essential’
Wilko has said its stores will stay open amid the coronavirus pandemic, after being designated as an essential retailer.
This follows the government’s decision to temporarily shut down all non-essential services in a bid to place the UK in lockdown.
The British retailer has temporarily removed ‘pick n mix’ confectionery from sale in-store to minimise the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
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Wilko has also introduced increased cleaning practices, social distancing, quantity controls and queue marshalls.
In addition, stores will be closing earlier at 5pm until further notice, to give staff extra time to clean and stock shelves.
Other measures include protective screens at checkouts, an initiative that major grocers such as Morrisons, Asda and Aldi have already embraced.
“Not everyone has a large supermarket nearby to get the non-food essentials they need for their family,” Wilko chief executive Jerome Saint-Marc said.
“With 17 million people living within two kilometres of a Wilko store we can help fulfil this need. Our locations and the wide range of products in our stores mean you can do a big shop with us without needing to travel far or visit multiple shops.”
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