Shoppers will be cautious about returning to the high street but Waterstones will emerge from the coronavirus crisis and eventually have a wider range of shops, the firm's c.e.o. James Daunt has said.
Speaking to Boldwood Books founder Amanda Ridout in an interview for the IPG Virtual Spring Conference, recorded ahead of the UK government's confirmation that shops can reopen from 15th June, Daunt said his stores would reopen once necessary safety measures were in place.
The firm's branches will have clear social distancing markings and signs inside and out, sneeze guards, and gloves and masks, and will use contactless payment whenever possible, he said. He also confirmed plans to quarantine books taken off the shelves by customers for up to 72 hours.
