Glasgow-based Quiz joins Next in reopening fashion website for locked-down customers

Glasgow-headquartered fashion chain Quiz has reopened its online operation after boosting physical distancing and safety measures for warehouse workers.

The fashion firm said its website was now fully functional, offering standard delivery services, in a move that came a day after high street stalwart Next reopened its online operations. Picture: Quiz

The so-called fast fashion firm said its website was now fully functional, offering standard delivery services, in a move that came a day after high street stalwart Next reopened its online operations.

Quiz added that it will staff the warehouse with workers who are “willing and able to return to work safely”. But the group stressed it has “significantly” cut the number of employees working there at any given time to allow for social distancing.

Quiz had initially kept its online business open after closing its physical stores and concessions last month ahead of the government lockdown for non-essential retailers. It had announced the temporary closure of its web service on 27 March following “feedback” from employees.

In its latest update, the firm 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.

David Jinks, head of consumer research at ParcelHero, said many mothballed online stores are now returning to business as home deliveries of non-essential items become acceptable again.

He added: “Many retailers of all sizes, from fashion giants to the smallest traders, closed the door on their online operations as well as their physical stores when lockdown was imposed on the evening of the 23 March.

“The feeling was that home delivery services should be freed up for essential deliveries of items such as masks, hand gels and groceries. There was also concern that retailers and distribution centres would be unable to operate safely. However, now the government has spelled out that it wants all online trade to continue where possible, not just for essential products.

“In addition to the pent-up demand for products to shake-off lockdown lethargy, this has resulted in a number of sites re-opening and online stores returning to action. The feeling that it is somehow ‘wrong’ to order non-essential products has eased.

“Fashion store Quiz has the answer to why many stores are re-opening. It stopped high street and online sales the day before the government’s lockdown started but, this week, it has restored limited online sales by using staff who are willing and able to work safely, with regular deep cleaning of its workplaces and by supplying PPE equipment. The footwear retailer Schuh has also resumed online trading this week, with a staggered re-opening of operations. Some stores, such as B&Q, have re-opened with specially timed slots to allow people to buy products.”

In January, Quiz, which has been struggling to grow revenues both on and offline, reported a slump in sales over the key Christmas period.

Despite enjoying strong trading over the Black Friday weekend, the retailer posted a 9.3 per cent drop in revenues in the seven weeks to 4 January.

This included a 14.8 per cent slide in total online sales as a result of terminating agreements with third-party website partners over the past year. Revenues from UK bricks-and-mortar stores, both standalone and concessions, declined by 7 per cent.

Chief executive Tarak Ramzan said at the time: “Whilst the trading backdrop has remained challenging, it is disappointing to report a decline in revenues in the period.

“We have continued to make good progress in improving gross margins and reducing costs.”

Quiz pointed to a strong balance sheet with a net cash position of £10.7 million as of 4 January.