Economy Minister and Retail NI welcome the return of Click & Collect

Economy Minister and Retail NI welcome the return of Click & Collect
Click and Collect decision welcomed

Economy Minister Diane Dodds has welcomed today’s Executive decision to allow shops to re-introduce – from March 8 – a limited contactless click and collect service at baby equipment shops, clothing shops, footwear shops and electrical goods shops.

She said: “This is a cautious but welcome step. Contactless click and collect services provide a measure of protection to our smaller independent businesses while at the same time easing footfall within larger retail outlets.

Regulated

“I know that retail bodies have worked closely with the Executive on developing an approach that will allow contactless click and collect services to operate in a safe and regulated manner.

“It is also an important measure that will allow customers better access to the goods they need. It is clear that the longer the restrictions persist, the more things that might have been deemed non-essential are becoming essential.

“I appeal to both customers and retailers to follow the Three Step Arrangement when operating contactless click and collect services as this will offer better protection. This will be an opportunity to support our local retailers to increase trade safely. I am hopeful we can build on this early cautious approach towards the re-opening our economy.”

The Minister concluded “I would ask all businesses operating any form of click and collect provision to follow the revised guidelines to assist in delivering enhanced public safety.”

Retail NI

Retail NI has also welcomed the decision of the Executive to restore Click and Collect for a number of retail categories.

Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “Retail NI has been strongly lobbying for this welcome development which will provide a much-needed lifeline for struggling independent retailers. While it does not apply to all categories of retail, it is a step towards the reopening of our high streets and non-essential retail”

“This is a good result for independent retailers and for consumer choice. We will be pushing strongly for the remainder of the retail sector to be able to provide a click and collect service”

“We would remind consumers that is a strictly appointment only service and they must continue to fully observe the Covid-19 regulations”