// Currys PC World and The Entertainer are extending their opening hours
// The retailers are attempting to make up for lost trade as England heads for second lockdown
// Non-essential retail will temporarily shut its doors as a result of rising Covid-19 cases
Currys PC World and The Entertainer are extending their opening hours in the run-up to the second national lockdown in England.
From Thursday, all non-essential retailers will temporarily shut their doors as a result of rising Covid-19 cases across the country.
Currys PC World plans to extend its opening hours across the majority of its UK stores, excluding Wales, to 8pm until November 5.
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Some larger-format stores will remain open until 10pm as the demand for home technology products is expected to rise before the second lockdown begins.
“While we expect footfall to increase between now and Thursday, our extended opening hours will help ease the busy periods in store,” Currys PC World chief operating officer Mark Allsop said.
“From Thursday, we will support our customer tech needs through 24/7 online, ShopLive and Order & Collect.
“This means we are able to welcome customers into our stores until the full nationwide lockdown begins and continue to support them through November.”
The Entertainer chief executive Gary Grant said the retailer is extending its opening hours in as many stores as possible.
The company will be utilising its click-and-collect service in a bid to compensate for lost trade due to non-essential store closures.
Grant also said that shoppers were “clearing the shelves like it’s Christmas Eve” with sales on Monday double that of the equivalent day last year.
The chain is extending opening hours until 7pm or 8pm from 5.30pm as it expects strong trading to continue right up until Wednesday night.
From November 5, non essential retail in England will close for a month, along with gyms, cinemas, hospitality venues and places of worship.
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