The government’s guidelines for social distancing have changed. Two metres, the suggested distance people must keep between them so as to prevent the spread of COVID-19, has now become one. This has been welcome news to retailers and hospitality venues that, previously, were concerned about the ability to operate with such large distance required between customers.

Cinemas, for example, had estimated a three-quarter reduction in potential occupancy with a required distance of two metres. At only one metre, the reduction would be significantly less and could allow them to operate. Now, as the British lockdown is eased and non-essential shops reopen, as well as restaurants and cafes, more businesses begin looking forward to recovery.

In the final weeks of lockdown, many businesses have begun redesigning their store layout, looking to accommodate a spread, cautious custom. To coincide with this, shopping areas and popular high streets are being temporarily and permanently pedestrianised by local councils, so that customers are safely able to queue outside of stores without compromising their social distance.

The priorities most businesses have are to keep their customers safe while ensuring that their opening stays financially viable. And, to achieve this, a number of designs have become widespread, with companies such as Crown Display seeing an increase in retail furniture demand as business owners look to remodel their shops.

Here are the major trends that are appearing and those that will be useful as lockdown eases.

Modular Designs

Retailers are now prioritising flexibility. Displays, shelving, and storage must be adjustable. This way, it can be shifted to allow for changes in government advice as well as various levels of custom. Investing in shelving, such as slatwall panels, and incorporating them into a flexible design allows your store’s space to be accommodating and easily changed to match the needs of your customers and stock.

Also, with concerns about how customers will be able to safely browse items, often without being able to pick them up, adopting a shelving system that will allow for greater display area will be increasingly useful.

Shopping / Collecting

Many businesses are now offering collection services as part of their shift toward an online operation. This allows customers to place their order in advance and quickly collect it from the store’s location. The issue that arises from this is that any queue that forms outside of the shop becomes occupied more easily as people wait to both browse and collect items.

To remedy this problem, businesses have begun delegating specific pick-up points within their store. This could be a window or a separate entrance. If it is possible within your architecture, enabling a point for collection will expedite your custom.

Rethinking Payment

Before lockdown came into place, some businesses around the UK had begun only accepting payment via card, eliminating cash altogether. While this may not work for all businesses, for those who can adopt card-only payments, it is more secure and efficient.

At the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, some businesses stopped accepting cash payments as a means of preventing infection, which has contributed to the momentum of a ‘cashless society’. Contactless payment, now more appropriately named than ever, is installed simply and can be used from behind glass or perspex screens without issue. While there’s still a way to go, cash transactions are slowly being eliminated from hospitality and retail.