Halfords is reopening 53 stores

With the government relaxing lockdown rules and encouraging people to avoid public transport to commute, there has been a huge increase in bike sales. Halfords has just announced that it is going to open 53 stores.

The retail company was allowed to operate even during the lockdown since it was deemed as an ‘essential’ business. However, its owner decided to close its physical outlets. It has been functioning on an employee-only model, that is, customers could purchase products online or from outside of the store. Now, one day after the Government announced that most non-essential retail shops could reopen as from June 15, the bike company decided to open 53 of its outlets.

However, to ensure the security of both customers and employees, the shops will be operating on a model called “Retail Lite”. For instance, the number of clients will be limited inside the outlets. Moreover, there will be queuing marshals, safety notices and floor markings, sneeze screen visors for staff and instructions to customers not to handle or try on products. However, Halfords advanced that there is “is no timetable or deadline in place” for the re-opening of the outlets and it will be at a pace that is dictated by the company’s confidence.

Halfords is opening some of its physical stores