Asos makes website and delivery changes as coronavirus shutdown bites

Asos has overhauled its delivery options in line with increased coronavirus related safety measures in its fulfilment centres.

“We know this is a really strange time for everyone RN, but we want to continue providing you with a moment of escapism,” the pureplay said in a statement posted on its social media channels.

“We’re doing all we can to keep Asos here for you by following all government guidance, while it advises online retail to stay open for the good of the economy, to protect jobs and to help people to stay at home,” it added.

Asos says that its priority remains its staff and customers’ wellbeing, hence changes to delivery options and also its site. “We’ll still have new items dropping each week for you, but you’ll have noticed a change of scenery and a few familiar faces, as models and Asos insiders shoot products from their own homes.”

Standard delivery, meanwhile, now takes up to 15 days. Next day is no longer available and has been replaced with 'fastest delivery' (up to three days).

GMB spat

Last week we reported GMB union claims that Asos was “playing Russian roulette with people’s lives” as it failed to enforce social distancing in a packed warehouse.

The GMB was very vocal about this on social media. This resulted in Asos CEO Nick Beighton taking it on on via his Twitter account.

Responding to an observation that a flash sale was not essential in these challenging times, he tweeted: “It’s the mid season sale not a flash sale .. facts are really important and sometimes inconvenient to your stories I know.. but stay with facts please.”

“Happy saturday .. you still don’t have any facts .. you have never been in the facility,” he added, when challenged about conditions in Asos’ warehouse in Grimethorpe, Barnsley.

Labour MP Sarah Owen then joined the debate, stating: “We may not have had the pleasure of visiting your warehouse, but been on your website and struggling to see any items which could classify as essential during this crisis - why are you risking workers’ lives?”

“Sarah we are operating under the authority and encouragement of the government .. where they have explicitly encouraged online business to continue for the good of the economy, jobs but with enhanced health and safety measures,” Beighton replied.

‘Simply not true’

RTIH reached out to Asos, requesting comment on the GMB’s aforementioned claims.

“We totally refute the allegations. They are false, do nothing more than serve to create panic and hysteria in an already uncertain time, and are part of a continuing campaign against us and the recognised union on site, Community,” a spokesperson told us.

“It is simply not true to say we don’t have social distancing protocols in place and it is not true to say that we have thousands of employees working under one roof.”

“The reality is we typically have around 500 colleagues working in our 680,000 square feet facility at any one time and we have strict social distancing protocols in place but, it must be said, it is also our colleagues’ responsibility to adhere to them,” they concluded.