Co-op introduces ‘stricter measures’ amid Covid-19 crisis

The Co-operative has introduced new measures to enforce social distancing in stores, in a bid to protect customers and colleagues from the spread of coronavirus.

The community retailer backs the government’s request for “tighter” in-store protocols and has introduced a range of measures across its 2,600 stores including floor markers which will define a one metre distance throughout the store, in front of checkouts and two-metre spacing for customer queues.

The convenience retailer also revealed it has now limited the amount of customers in store at any one time as well as reducing the number of checkouts open.

Co-op will also have reduced opening hours to give employed time to re-stock and is encouraging contactless shopping where possible to reduce the handling of cash and “speed up checkout with minimal contact”.

Chris Whitfield, Co-op chief operating officer said: “The safety and wellbeing of our colleagues is our priority and we fully support the need for social distancing. We have introduced a number of measures in store, which will be reviewed on a daily basis, and we thank our customers for their understanding and support.

“We are immensely proud of our frontline colleagues and the work they are doing at this unprecedented time to serve our customers, members and local communities but we urge our customers to follow the government advice to only shop for essential items and to be considerate of others when they are shopping.”