Malls gear up with post-lockdown action plan
Once the lockdown is over and malls reopen,you may have to plan your visit well in advance,and be prepared to be refused entry.Why? Because malls are planning to ensure strict temperature checks,no trial room facilities and limited number of visitors,among other things
LIMITED VISITORS TO BE ALLOWED IN STORES Malls
across India are planning to implement social distancing measures by using permanent marking and restricting the number of people in stores,elevators and escalators.Pushpa Bector,Executive Director,DLF Shopping Malls,says, “To ensure social distancing, we will have a controlled entry point for visitors,with proper screening and sanitisation facilities.People will be asked to maintain a two-metre distance.Not more than three customers will be allowed to enter the elevator at a time,and permanent distance markers will be placed so that the capacity doesn’t exceed.For escalators,one customer will be allowed after a three-step rollover.” Abhishek Bansal,Executive Director,Pacific Group,says,“We have two set of guidelines – one for our visitors and one for the staff. These will include guidelines on the number of people allowed at a time,especially in stores drawing huge crowds.We will also provide hand sanitisers at all entry points, contactless temperature checks,thorough fumigation and sanitisation of mall premises.”
WHAT’S NEXT FOR MALLS?
■ Maintaining a two-metre distance from other visitors
■ Only three visitors allowed in an elevator at a time
■ One person will be allowed after a three-step rollover on escalators
■ No trial rooms
■ Strict return policies for clothes
■ Food courts to have 50% reduced seating
NO TRIAL ROOMS, AND STRICT RETURN POLICIES
Some mall officials say they are planning to discontinue the facility of trial rooms as these can breach social distancing norms. Pushpa Bector says,“Fashion retailers are planning to do away with trial rooms and draft strict return policies. Our mall management teams are in touch with vendors and will introduce disposable cardboard boxes as a packaging option to avoid physical contact.”
50% SEATING AT FOOD COURTS, RESTAURANTS Malls are planning to reduce seating arrangements by 50% and tables will be placed six feet apart for customers to ensure social distancing. A restaurant manager at a Delhi mall says,“We are in discussion with malls to work out a plan. We are working on several ideas,including accepting pre-orders. However,there will be a more concrete plan in place once we get clarity on the malls’ reopening.”Abhishek Bansal adds,“We will bring in contactless food ordering and payment at the food court with app orders.”
RETAILERS, MALLS ENSURE QUALITY CHECKS TO AVOID ANY PRODUCT DAMAGE
Recently,pictures of a Malaysian store filled with mouldcovered leather goods went viral. This lead to brands sending staff to check up on the inventory at their stores to ensure their stocks are fine. Dilip Kapur,founder and Chairperson,Hidesign,tells us,“All our bags have been stored in cloth bags,allowing the leather to breathe while protecting it from dust. We checked the bags for the first time about four to five weeks after stores were shut. Since then,we’ve been checking them every two weeks.”Anupam Bansal,Director, retail,Liberty, adds,“Our shoes are covered with an anti-fungal layer,so we are sure their quality won’t suffer even if they are exposed to moisture.”The malls’ executives,too,tell us they’ve taken steps to ensure no products get spoiled. Pushpa Bector says,“Within the first week of the lockdown,all F&B brands removed perishable and packed foods from the premises. Any product that needed controlled temperature has been moved out by retail partners. We have an integrated pest control system which is employed regularly, and fresh air units are turned on in the malls every night.”
■ Regular checks have been scheduled
■ Malls are in touch with brands,designers to clean stores and inventory
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