DFS to re-open Exeter showroom as part of phased re-opening plan
Following updates to government guidance on May 13th that allowed ‘homeware’ retailers to re-open, DFS will be welcoming customers back into its Exeter store from Friday May 29th.
The re-opening of the showroom is part of a phased plan that has already seen DFS re-open three stores in Leicester, Milton Keynes and Bolton on May 22nd. In addition to the Exeter store, a further 86 DFS stores in England will also re-open on May 29th.
The showroom will be operating with extensive new processes and safety measures in place, including: comprehensive staff training to ensure consistent adherence to new processes and social distancing, daily temperature checks for employees, limiting the number of customers in the showrooms at any one time, introducing hand sanitiser stations, increasing the frequency of cleaning high contact areas, and the provision of personal protective equipment such as face masks and gloves for colleagues who wish to use it.
Nick Smith, Managing Director of DFS, said: “Since temporarily closing the majority of our operations almost eight weeks ago, we have assessed and adapted our processes across our manufacturing, retail and delivery operations to ensure we can prioritise colleague and customer safety. We have been careful to test these new operating processes by reopening just a handful of stores to begin with before expanding more widely across our estate.”
“While the relatively larger size of DFS’ stores means we can effectively maintain strict social distancing, by implementing additional safety measures in line with Government and British Retail Consortium guidance, we are well prepared to welcome colleagues and customers back into our Exeter store."
Customers are welcome to browse and buy in store as usual following new social distancing guidelines. Two new initiatives have been implemented to help customers limit the time they spend in store including:
- A new appointment service for customers who want to seek advice and purchase furniture as quickly and efficiently as possible
- A comfort test service that allows customers to pop in store to test the product and then complete their order from the comfort of their own home over the phone, or on the DFS website
DFS has also restarted limited deliveries in England. In line with the company’s commitment to colleague and customer safety, DFS will not be delivering to any homes where the customer is shielding because they are at risk or are symptomatic. In these instances, DFS will offer a revised doorstep delivery option, or will store the order until delivery can be fulfilled safely.
