Next is reopening its warehouses as it starts to take online orders again.
The retailer closed its online business as well as its warehousing and distribution operations in late March, saying: “It is clear that many [staff] increasingly feel they should be at home in the current climate.”
The company now says it has put in place “very extensive additional safety measures” and consulted with staff and their union, and will reopen the online business “in a very limited way”.
“Operations will start with support from colleagues who are willing and able to safely return to work,” the retailer said. “The idea is to begin selling in low volumes, so that we only need a small number of colleagues in each warehouse at any one time, helping to ensure rigorous social distancing is complied with.”
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