Business

Fashion chain Quiz reopens website for online shopping

Quiz has reopened its online operations after implementing social distancing at its warehouse
Quiz has reopened its online operations after implementing social distancing at its warehouse

GLASGOW-based fashion group Quiz has reopened its website for shoppers after bolstering its social distancing and safety measures across its warehouse sites.

Stock picking will be carried out by staff "willing and able to return to work safely", AIM-listed Quiz said in an update, prompting its share price to jump by more than 14 per cent in early morning trading

The“fast fashion” firm, founded by Tarak Ramzan, said its website was now fully functional, offering standard delivery services, in a move that comes a day after fashion retailer Next reopened its online operations.

Quiz stressed it has "significantly" cut the number of employees working there at any given time to allow social distancing.

It had initially kept its online operations open after shutting stores, but announced the temporary closure of its web service on March 27 following "feedback" from employees.

Quiz said: "The group has significantly reduced the number of employees working in the distribution centre at any given time to enable strict social distancing.

"A number of additional safety measures have also been implemented, including deep cleaning and the provision of personal protection equipment in order to keep its employees safe and protected."

Next returned to selling clothes online on Tuesday after it also put extra safety measures in place.

But by 9am the website had closed again, saying it had already received all the orders it could process for the day, given the limited operations due to social distancing.

The retail giant closed its online operations in late March amid the coronavirus crisis, following criticism from staff who felt unsafe at work.

The move by Quiz comes as fashion chains Oasis and Warehouse remain on the brink of administration, putting 2,300 jobs at risk.