Will Broome, CEO of leading retail tech company Ubamarket, discusses the implications of the mask debate and what this means for the future of retail
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced earlier this week that it would be mandatory for consumers to wear face coverings when visiting shops and supermarkets, effective from 24th July. This legislation comes as a measure to enhance protection for those that work in shops and supermarkets, as well as their customers. It has been found that retail workers are the most likely to contract the virus, with death rates amongst retail workers higher than in the general population. As such, this announcement will give staff and customers the confidence to work and shop safely.
Face coverings being worn in public spaces has certainly become the new normal following the easing of lockdown. However, as we move further into a post-lockdown climate, the temporality of face masks and coverings as a long-term solution to halting the spread of Coronavirus, has come into light.
A more efficient method of overcoming these fears and concerns is the integration of mobile technology into the retail sector. The consumer shopping experience in the post-lockdown climate must be as streamlined and dynamic as possible in order to ensure safety, and the use of technology can be one possible avenue to achieve this.
Will Broome, CEO of Ubamarket, has been instrumental in the development of a retail shopping app, which introduces features such as scan-as-you-shop, aisle sat-nav, in-app payment and till-less checkout to help retailers offer a more streamlined and safe environment for both customers and staff. Now, Will comments on the measures and discusses how the shopping experience will change indefinitely throughout the pandemic and beyond:
“The coronavirus pandemic has completely changed the retail landscape as we knew it, and we now know the full extent of the danger posed by the Coronavirus, especially for the nation’s retail workers.
The introduction of mask-wearing in stores will help to protect retail workers and customers, and it is encouraging to see that the government is focusing on developing additional safety and hygiene measures beyond the social distancing policies and sanitisation protocols. With this weekend being the last time consumers will not have to wear face coverings in shops and supermarkets, it remains to be seen whether this measure will be effective in the long term, and only represents a small step in developing long-term measures that can make the overall retail experience safer and better.
The implementation of retail technology will allow retailers to go further by solving a number of the problems posed by Coronavirus. Providing tech solutions, such as a consumer app, can put shoppers in control and will unlock a range of features such as remote stock-checking, till-less checkout and aisle sat-nav, all of which will greatly enhance the shopping experience and develop a safer, more convenient environment.”
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