THE north’s retail sector took another tentative step toward recovery from the coronavirus lockdown on Monday with Ikea and Tim Hortons reopening outlets in Belfast, while Primark announced it will aim to reopen by the end of June.
Hundreds of people queued outside Ikea’s flagship store at the Holywood Exchange Retail Park in east Belfast on Monday morning, as the Swedish furniture giant enforced social distancing measures.
Along with limits on numbers and a staggered entry system, Ikea said screens have been installed in key areas, with ‘social distancing wardens’ spread throughout the store.
While it will be Thursday before the Executive will take the final decision on whether furniture retailers can reopen across the north from Monday, retail experts have said that Ikea’s extensive homeware and office supply sections permit it to trade under the legal regulations introduced by Stormont on March 28.
Ikea said it made the decision to voluntarily close all its stores before the UK Government officially announced a lockdown.
It confirmed that 18 stores in England reopened yesterday, but said its outlet in Dublin will remain closed for now.
A spokesperson for the company said: "We’re really pleased to be welcoming our customers and co-workers back to our Belfast store today. Their health and safety remains our top priority, which is why we closed our stores voluntarily in March and, ahead of today’s reopening, put extensive and enhanced measures in place to create a safe and comfortable experience.
“To help ease waiting times, we ask customers to come prepared with ready-made lists and their own bags, and for those purely wishing to return items, to do so at a later date. We ask that these measures – which are in place for the safety and comfort of customers and co-workers - are respected at all times."
Ikea also confirmed that its click and collect service and restaurant is now open in Belfast, but said the latter will only offer a takeaway service.
Meanwhile fashion giant Primark confirmed yesterday that it anticipates its nine Northern Ireland stores will begin reopening by the end of the month.
The retailer’s parent group Associated British Foods (ABF) announced that it will reopen all 153 Primark outlets in England on June 15 after the UK Government gave non-essential retailers the go-ahead to welcome customers again.
The group’s 36 Penneys stores in the Republic will reopen on a phased basis between June and August.
While it remains unclear when clothing retailers can reopen in the north, ABF said: “We await further guidance for the stores in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland and anticipate openings in late June.”
Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons also reopened its flagship outlet on Belfast’s Fountain Street on Monday, while Builders’ merchant JP Corry confirmed that its 17 branches around the north have now reopened, operating on a pre-arranged collection and contactless delivery service.
