Next closes website AGAIN as it limits the amount of orders from customers to help keep staff safe
NEXT has closed its website AGAIN as it limits the amount of orders customers can make in order to help keep staff safe.
The fashion retailer reopened its website this morning following two weeks of being offline due to the coronavirus.
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Next was one of the few retailers to temporarily stop online trading as well as close its stores following the government's coronavirus lockdown.
The shut down of its warehouses and distribution centres was largely due to staff safety concerns.
But following a consultation with workers, a string of new safety measures have been put in place including one-way systems and new walkways at its warehouses.
The measures have the support of Usdaw, the union for retail workers, and ensure that strict social-distancing is maintained.
Shops allowed to stay open
ONLY a small group of retailers are allowed to stay open during the lockdown, they include:
- Supermarkets
- Pharmacies
- Takeaways and food deliveries
- Health shops
- Medical services - eg, dentists
- Vets
- Newsagents
- Pet shops
- Hardware stores
- Retail shops in hospitals
- Petrol stations
- Bicycle shops
- Laundrettes and dry cleaners
- Undertakers
- Banks, building socities
- Short-term loan providers, credit unions and cash points
- Storage and distribtion centres
- Post Offices
- Car rental services and car parks near vital services such as supermarkets
- Public toilets
- Car garages and repair shops
- Food banks and shelters
Next has also set limits on the number of items that can be ordered in a day so that workers can work safely to fulfil them.
The maximum has already been reached for today, meaning Next shoppers will now have to wait until tomorrow before making an order.
A statement on the Next website said: "No more orders today, we're open again tomorrow.
It added: "In order to operate our warehouse safely, we are limiting the number of warehouse colleagues working at any time, and so we will limit the number of customer orders we can take each day.
"We have successfully tested opening and taking a limited number of orders today. Please come back again tomorrow morning.
"In the meantime feel free to browse the website and add items to your favourites wishlist.
"We’re sorry about this, and hope that you’ll understand!"
Next shoppers can find out more about when the website reopens each day and what the order limits are in our guide.
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Following the government's lockdown announcement, many retailers have temporarily shut up shop, including food outlets like McDonald's, Nando's and Greggs.
Meanwhile, non-essential retailers have been told that they can continue to operate online.
But, like Next, River Island and TK Maxx decided to pull their online operations as well as close stores over safety fears from staff.