Halfords fully reopens Craigavon store

Car and cycle firm Halfords has fully reopened its Craigavon store, using a special model called ‘Retail Lite’ during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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A spokesperson said the move came as the retailer reported an increase in demand for e-bikes and e-scooters

All 153 stores across the UK will have extensive social distancing measures in place.

Having been granted essential retailer status, 335 of Halfords’ 446 retail stores have until now been operating under a Dark Store model during the lockdown. This means that customers have been unable to browse and instead have been placing orders with Halfords colleagues outside the front of the store.

Halfords in Craigavon. Photo courtesy of Google.Halfords in Craigavon. Photo courtesy of Google.
Halfords in Craigavon. Photo courtesy of Google.

The extensive range of social distancing measures in place include the following: Only a safe number of customers allowed in the store at any one time; queue marshalling in place outside the store; safety notices and floor markings to remind customers about social distancing; cleaning station at the front of the store, with supplies of hand sanitiser and wipes; ‘Sneeze screens’ and visors for colleagues; Customers will be asked not to handle or try on products; Customers will be asked to book bike consultation and collection slots online or over the phone in advance, wherever possible

The news comes as the retailer reports an increase in demand for e-mobility products, with e-bikes and e-scooters more than doubling year on year for last week.

Graham Stapleton, Halfords CEO says: “With lockdown restrictions lifting many of us are starting to think about returning to work and what our commutes will begin to look like and we’ve seen a big surge in demand for e-bikes and e-scooters.

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