// Fenwick re-opens its online store with an “with an edited offer”
// It made “significant changes” to how orders are picked & packed so as to “strictly” adhere to social distancing guidelines
// Fenwick will take new orders from today and will process & despatch orders made before March 25
Fenwick has re-opened its online store with an “with an edited offer”, joining a growing list of retailers re-commencing ecommerce operations amid the coronavirus lockdown.
From today, the department store said it would start to take new orders and processing and despatching orders received before the initial website closure was announced on March 25.
Fenwick said it has undergone “significant changes” in the way in which orders are picked and packed so as to “strictly” adhere to government guidelines around social distancing requirements.
READ MORE:
- Quiz becomes latest retailer to reopen online operations
- Next website overwhelmed after re-opening online trading
- Fenwick chair & CEO both step down
All staff working to service the website have volunteered to do so, and they have been screened to ensure they are able to work, have no vulnerable dependents and can travel without use of public transport – such as their own car, bicycle or on foot.
Fenwick said that due to the changes, delivery will take a few days longer and customers should expect orders to arrive within five to 10 days.
“We have received so many incredible messages of support from our customers since we closed our stores with many asking us if, and when, we will reopen our website,” a Fenwick spokeswoman said.
“We are pleased to be able to do just that following a complete overhaul of how we pick and pack orders.
“Our customers can now browse and shop a curated edit of the items they want and have them delivered to their homes.
“It’s also important that as a business we continue to operate where we can during these extraordinary times in order to help protect both the future of our stores and our workforce.
“We have been extremely diligent in making sure we have followed government guidelines, putting every measure in place to take the best care we can of those who have volunteered to come back to work.”
Other retailers that have re-commenced their online trading operations include B&Q, Quiz and Next.
Last week, Business Secretary Alok Sharma urged British retailers to continue trading online “as a vital lifeline” for the nation amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said retail employees that need to travel to work should continue to do so in line with the chief medical officer’s advice.
Sharma also said retailers should continue to operate safely when following the government’s workplace guidance as well as the BRC’s guide on social distancing in warehouses and distribution centres.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette’s free daily email newsletter
