Tesco’s First Standby For Saturday Garage Sale
As the UK prepares for its summer period of festivities, there is a real concern that the capital could experience a serious outbreak of screwfix openings across the country. The second British quarantine seems set to continue until at least 2 September but most necessary retailers, such as banks, supermarkets and DIY shops, are still expected to be open. However, before you head out to stock up on supplies for your forthcoming project, it’s worth checking whether opening times are still set to be affected and whether additional restrictions have been added. With the world still recovering from the recent busy summer months, most suppliers are likely to extend their normal operating hours into the autumn.
As well as facing increased demand, you may also need to deal with the issue of social distancing. Many DIY shops are now open daily throughout the week. This leaves many customers feeling a little bit lost when searching for items, particularly if they have limited experience in the store locations chosen by them. To address this problem, several major UK retailers are releasing a mobile device or App specifically designed for customers in need of help in their local area. These devices allow customers to browse stores in real time, as well as find and compare stock and services without having to leave their homes. It should prove an invaluable resource during the busiest months.
In addition to extending the hours of operation, retailers are also introducing a number of social distancing measures to combat the increased demand. In June, all grocery stores including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer are starting to offer home delivery. Home delivery usually requires customers to place their weekly shopping order by a certain date, meaning that many do not have the opportunity to visit their local store during this busy shopping period. However, Tesco has confirmed that this will change from September as all stores start offering home delivery to customers.
The move is part of Tesco’s plan to increase customer awareness of its social distancing measures. In June, the company released its annual Customer Relations Research report, which found that more than three-quarters (73%) of UK consumers did not know where their nearest store is. In addition, Tesco cited that the number of store locators had also been affected by the increased level of customer service, which has left many customers waiting in long queues. With both factors out of the way, consumers can now more easily find a suitable store location.
In addition to extending store hours, Tesco has also implemented several measures aimed at reducing queuing. These include working with leading retailers to increase the number of in-store staff and to offer home delivery on selected grocery items. Although Tesco has not revealed how much it will spend on these measures, it is understood that it will be a part of the financial plan to reduce in-store traffic. The social distancing measures are being implemented alongside these to ensure that Tesco’s efforts are aligned with its competitors.
Although Tesco is not the only major supermarket that has adopted a reductionist approach when it comes to its opening hours and home delivery, it is undoubtedly one of the most radical. Other major retailers such as Asda, Marks & Spencer and Waitrose have all reduced store opening hours over the past year and have maintained a high level of in-store staff as well as home delivery to tackle the rise in consumer demand. It is also a part of Tesco’s efforts to focus on value-added services such as its free coffee programs, its customer loyalty schemes and its fast-delivery options. However, these efforts may be proving too little too late as the economy has taken a huge hit and is expected to remain sluggish or possibly even take a dive in the near future. If you are concerned about how you are going to cope in the current economic climate, then you should definitely consider all of the factors that are involved in the discount supermarket environment that Tesco is facing.
In addition to the reduction in store opening hours and home delivery, Tesco is also implementing a unique social distancing measures as well as cutting its overall operating costs. The social distancing measures entail creating a more personalised experience and environment for its customers, through both in-store and online activities. The retail environment is considered one of the key factors that have helped Tesco to increase its customer base, despite ongoing competition from its nearest competitor, Asda. The store locator allows customers to search for specific products and services in the Tesco stores in their local area and even their hometown, making it easier for consumers to pinpoint Tesco’s offerings and save money on the household items that they need more often.
For those who are worried about the effect of Tesco’s change in opening times on the family budget, rest assured that the company will still be offering great deals and savings on the popular weekly shopping events. A recent press release highlighted that Tesco would be hosting its first ever Saturday garage sale to coincide with its change to screwfix opening times. This is likely to continue to benefit customers in the budget category with the introduction of limited time early bird specials and other unique offers on popular products. The retail location, however, is set to undergo some changes to cater to the changing demands placed on it by Tesco, which could mean increased in-store presence and a change to specific areas of the store.