Spar enacts social distancing measures in stores

• Measures include floor markings, Perspex screens at checkouts and encouraging card payments

• The supermarkets have been implementing similar safety measures throughout the week

Spar has put in place a range of new social distancing and hygiene measures to protect staff and customers at its stores across the UK.

The convenience store group is introducing special markings throughout stores to showcase two-metre spacing as well as specially designated markings at till points, and where possible even outside stores.

It is also introducing Perspex screens at the tills, encouraging card payments and where possible shutting some tills to help keep customers apart. The group is also providing extra cleaning products to stores for cleaning baskets, counter tops, ATMs and chip & pin machines.

Spar will use its in-store radio to help advise customers and is installing new information posters.

“We are asking customers to work with us on the new social distancing measures the government has provided us with in order to keep each other safe,” said Spar UK MD Louise Hoste.

“Our local Spar stores play a crucial role in communities the length and breadth of the country. We are all in this together and the safety of our staff and customers is very important to us.

“We have followed the government’s advice on social distancing and now we have a variety of new measures set up in our stores.

“We understand how difficult it is to ask customers to change their behaviour but we are asking our customers to assist us with these measures so we can keep our retail staff and customers safe and consequently allow our stores to serve their communities.”

The retailer also highlighted a range of activities stores and colleagues had been getting involved in to provide extra support to communities. These included home delivery services, charitable donations, supporting food banks and providing NHS staff with free hot drinks.

Hoste added: “We recognise the important role our stores play in local communities at this time and we are not only ensuring a constant supply of the core essential products consumers need, but we are also making sure staff and customers are well cared for. We serve 2,600 local Spar stores around the UK, who are supporting the community and there for you.”