Unemployment claims in Britain jumped by a record amount in April — after a month’s coronavirus lockdown — to their highest level since the 1990s.
Linda Pilkington, who owns a high-end perfume boutique off London’s Bond Street, renowned for its designer and jewelry shops, says the pleasure of going shopping for many customers is going to be dulled because restaurants, theaters and other entertainment facilities still remain closed. She expects an extremely slow transition to a new normal.
“People like the social side of shopping. When you hit Bond Street and all the grand shops, it’s an exciting event,” she said. “All those people coming to London for a show, making a weekend of it — that won’t be there. It’s just not going to be the same.” Pilkington’s tiny shop, Ormonde Jayne, will only let one customer in at a time. Shoppers will be encouraged to sanitize their hands, and the whole store needs to be wiped down every time a shopper leaves.Browsing the aisles will be a welcome change from scrolling online, though touching merchandise may be discouraged and many changing rooms will be off-limits.Sign up for the latest news, best stories and what they mean for you, plus answers to your questions.
“I’m hopeful that, while the overall atmosphere will feel a bit different to them, what they’ll actually find is a kind of pleasant surprise that it’s calm, it’s pleasant, it’s well-ordered,” said Andrew Murphy, director of operations. “But it’s also still got the real advantage of the physical shopping experience and the things that you can’t do online.”has lined up street performers to entertain anyone queuing, while DJs will play music inside to liven things up.
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