Brits issue coronavirus safety warning to retailers

66% of UK shoppers say the coronavirus safety measures put in place by retailers will determine where they spend their money, according to research conducted by Vitreous World for Cennox.

2,000 Brits were surveyed. In response to the government’s ‘Shop With Confidence’ message to the public, 46% believe the safety measures put in place by supermarkets and stores have been inadequate or poorly managed, while just 7% said they have ‘complete trust’ that retailers will keep them safe.

Cennox’s Chief Operating Officer Nick Cockett comments: “The results are clear; if shoppers don’t feel protected, they will vote with their feet. We know how hard retailers have been working to overhaul their stores in recent weeks and months, but they simply cannot afford to adopt partial measures to keep customers safe.”

The research also revealed how customer loyalty to supermarkets has been impacted by their response to the coronavirus pandemic. 67% of shoppers admit loyalty to their favourite retailers would be impacted if safety measures were deemed ineffective, while 69% said they would consider switching from their regular supermarket if their in-store safety expectations were not met.

According to the survey, 13% of consumers had managed to avoid supermarkets altogether since lockdown began.54%, meanwhile, wear some form of PPE while out shopping, with masks and gloves the most popular items.