Schuh begins to reopen UK and Irish stores

Footwear retailer, Schuh has announced that after opening its Channel Islands stores, it is preparing to open more of its UK and Ireland-based stores this week and next week.

The retailer said two locations which are currently open have made "an encouraging start". As a result, Schuh will now be opening another three shops in Ireland today with the remaining stores reopening from 15 June, including the majority of Schuh stores in England. Initially all stores will operate with reduced trading hours.

The company is yet to disclose when non-English UK stores will re-open with Scotland-based stores awaiting further advice from the devolved governments before stores can reopen.

Similar to the opening of other retailers, Schuh's new safety measures include hand sanitiser stations, PPE for staff, thorough cleaning, new floor plans and restrictions on the number of customers allowed in the store.

The footwear retailer will also be implementing hygiene and cleaning measures on its products; customer returns will be quarantined for 72 hours and shoes that have been tried on yet not purchased will be treated with a disinfectant spray before being made available to purchase.

The retailer has been operating for a certain period of time through its website. Initially Schuh closed its online operation at the start of the lockdown but reopened later with new hygiene and safety measures in place in its warehouse.