Schuh resumes online trading with ‘exhaustive welfare measures’ in place

The retailer said the decision to have a “staggered reopening” of its fulfilment centres was “critical to preserve our business” in the face of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

All of its fulfilment centres will be operating with 10 staff or less on-site at any one time, staff will have to stand two metres apart and all staff will have access to work station cleaning kits and hand sanitiser stations.

Schuh made the decision to temporarily cease online trading on March 26, following “contradictory government advice” on the issue of whether or not non-essential retailers should continue their ecommerce operations.

Chief executive Colin Temple said reopening the retailer’s online operations was “critical” to the businesses’ ability to survive the epidemic.

He said: “The decision to reopen our website is critical to preserve our business and is based upon government guidelines, which have also been endorsed by the BRC. Schuh has gone above and beyond to comply with government health and safety hygiene practice and deliver extensive welfare procedures within our fulfilment operation.

“We have been overwhelmed by positivity from our Schuh community and we reopen with the continued goodwill and support of our Schuh employees. We want to work together to support our business throughout this crisis.”

Schuh said its staff continue to “indicate their willingness to return to work to support the website” and advised the measures would mean the customer may have to wait longer than normal for deliveries to be fulfilled.

More than 90% of the retailers’ staff have been furloughed under the government’s coronavirus job retention scheme.