Mixed reactions to the resumption of click and collect

RETAIL shops across Tyrone have started to trade for the first time since Christmas as the click and collect service has recommenced.

The Northern Ireland Executive has agreed that a contactless click and collect service for baby equipment shops, clothing shops, footwear shops, and electrical goods shops would re-commence from Monday March 8.

The resumption of the service has been welcomed by many but other business owners remain frustrated that their stores must remain closed to the public, despite larger supermarkets selling similar items during the lockdown.

It is the first time the shops have been able to trade since the start of the latest lockdown in December, and the move comes as part of the first relaxations of the Covid19 regulations.

Conor Daly of Kiddies Corner has welcomed the re-introduction of the service and said a lot of people expected the store to remain open during lockdown as baby equipment could be seen as essential.

Mr Daly said, “We have been doing a lot of business through social media, and since Monday, we have been receiving more phonecalls to the store.

“There has been a great response to the click and collect but throughout lockdown, some people could not understand why we were not allowed to be open because baby stuff is essential such as car seats or prams.

“We had been doing deliveries to expecting mothers but people want to see our products before they buy them.

“For first time mothers especially, they want to come in, look around and see what they are buying.

“I know it is not the full face to face contact but it is still nice to see people out and about.

“We are looking forward to getting open again, hopefully in a couple of weeks, even just for appointments,” said Mr Daly.

The service is completely contactless. The customer contacts the retailer by online communication, telephone, text message, or post to place and pay for the order – payment must be completed at the time of order as no payment on collection of goods is permitted.

Classic Urbanwear in Omagh reopened on Monday to facilitate the click-and-collect service but owner Robbie Watson remains frustrated that major retail outlets selling clothes have been allowed to remain open during lockdown.

“Dunnes, Asda, Tesco and other major supermarkets have been allowed to remain open and sell clothes during the lockdown.

“Customers now have to have purchased the item from my store before they come to collect it, but in these other supermarkets, people can walk through and pick up whatever they want.

“It is not any better than what it has been and it is so frustrating.

“Yes we can operate but it is extremely unfair that we cannot be open to the public and a lot of the small shops are getting hammered because someone in Stormont thinks we are part of the problem,” said Mr Watson.