Russell & Bromley joins list of upmarket retailers outlining reopening plans

Upmarket accessories and fashion retailers Johnstons of Elgin, Reiss and Russell & Bromley on Wednesday revealed their store reopening plans to the Evening Standard.

Non-essential retailers that shut stores in March, when the Covid-19 lockdown came into effect, will be able to reopen in England from June 15 under the latest government guidelines.

Firms have been working up plans on how to ready sites to comply with any social distancing guidelines.

Family-run footwear firm Russell & Bromley, which counts the Duchess of Cambridge as a fan, wants trading to resume at its 39 branches over three weeks from the latest guideline date.

The company said PPE will be given to all staff and there will be front and back of house social distancing signage. All staff are to have a full training day in their store without customers to adapt to any new safe working practices before trading.

Russell & Bromley added that a deep cleaning of shops will be undertaken, and there will be a limit on the number of customers allowed inside at one time.

Fashion retailer Reiss has 53 standalone shops in the UK. It expects to open 27 on June 15, with the second reopening phase to follow a few weeks later.

The firm outlined a long list of measures it is implementing. Among the list is: having hand sanitising stations on site; equipping staff with face masks and disposable gloves; having limited accessibility to fitting rooms, encouraging customers where possible to purchase products and try on at home. Reiss will increase its returns policy to accommodate this.

Cashmere jumpers maker Johnstons of Elgin is looking to open its Bond Street flagship on June 15.

Only a certain number of people will be allowed in at one time. Other measures include staff wearing face masks made by the company and handwashes being provided.

Johnstons of Elgin’s four other stores in Scotland remain shut until guidance there changes.

Simon Cotton, chief executive of Johnstons of Elgin said: “Although we fully supported the need to close, it is extremely exciting to be looking forward to welcoming our friends back into our Bond Street store. Our Spring / Summer collection has had a great reception online, but we were concerned that no one would get to see it physically presented in a store environment.”