// B&Q reopens online operations to serve customers amid the coronavirus pandemic
// The DIY giant will offer customers “essential products”
B&Q has reopened its website as a new way of serving customers after shutting down all operations last month due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement, the DIY retailer owned by Kingfisher, said its website was open for customers to buy home repair and maintenance essentials.
“Over the last 48 hours we have been working hard to create a service that focuses on providing essential products for repair and maintenance of the home,” B&Q chief executive Graham Bell said.
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“This means we can keep supplies open and give our customers the best possible service to ensure their homes are safe, warm and in working order.
“The safety of our customers and colleagues remains our top priority.”
The retailer said its stores would remain closed to customers for browsing and purchasing.
Instead, B&Q will offer a contactless click-and-collect scheme at its stores, as well as home delivery through its website.
This initiative will allow customers to search for products online, buy them, and then either have them delivered, or pick them up from their local store, without being able to browse for other items there.
The new click-and-collect system also offers to bring products to each customer’s car, helping to minimise the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
Last month, the retailer faced backlash for choosing to keep its stores open despite the pandemic, but later took a u-turn on the decision by announcing store closures due to the new lockdown measures.
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