Brits back long-term shopping safety measures amid Covid outbreak

UK shoppers feel coronavirus restrictions, such as mask wearing and social distancing, will need to be in place in retail settings for the long-term, according to research from Sensormatic Solutions.

Hailed as ‘freedom day’, 21st June is the earliest date that all remaining limits on social contact could be lifted.

Sensormatic Solutions surveyed over 1,000 UK shoppers. 67% felt that face coverings would be required in-store for some time to come, while a further two thirds said the move towards mandatory mask wearing had made them feel much safer when visiting shops.

42% wanted retailers to install mask detection systems, while one in three said customers’ temperatures should be taken before they were allowed inside shops.

Meanwhile, 44% called for the number of people allowed inside to continue to be closely monitored, based on the size of the shop, to allow social distancing to be maintained.

Andy Sumpter, Sensormatic Solutions Retail Consultant for EMEA, comments: “After more than a year of complying with social restrictions in some form or another, some of that behaviour has become ingrained in consumers’ psyches.’

“And that might take some adjustment as we get ever closer to normal, irrespective of the timeframes for the UK’s final easing of restrictions.”

He adds: “But despite the cautiousness, shoppers have overwhelmingly welcomed back in-person shopping, and each month in 2021 we have seen a slow but steady recovery in the numbers of shoppers returning to the high street.”

“This will be encouraging for retail businesses, who have made radical changes to their in-store operations to make them as safe as possible for their customers and colleagues, and fuel hopes for a sustained recovery.”