Retailers in Chadstone, Fountain Gate enforce strict COVID-19 prevention measures

Temperature checks and bans on trying on clothes are among strict new regulations at stores in Melbourne’s big shopping centres. But they’re not all the same. From Apple to Target, here’s some of the most popular retailers’ tough rules.

People are slowly getting out again as restrictions begin to ease. Picture: Ian Currie

As Melbourne shopping centres continue to get busier, retailers are enforcing strict safety regulations for shoppers.

The new measures could stay in place for several months amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Popular retail outlets at Westfield Fountain Gate and Chadstone have created new COVID-19 prevention measures including social distancing rules, temperature checks, no access to fitting rooms, defined entry and exit points and strict customer capacity numbers.

And the measures could stay in place for several months as Melburnians ease their way out of the coronavirus crisis.

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The Leader visited both shopping centres over the weekend and saw how the new measures have created long queues of customers and affected the overall sensory experience for shoppers.

Here’s the dos and don’ts at popular retail stores:

Apple

Queues of customers continue to line up outside Apple, who have enforced strict customer capacity and social distancing rules.

The tech giant has created separate queues for appointments, customer orders and general browsing at some stores.

Only a limited number of iPads, iPhones and Macbooks are on display.

If customers are bringing items in for repair, their phones will be wiped down and sanitised by an Apple worker.

Apple store in Chadstone shopping centre is changed the way it interacts with customers.

Big W

Similar to Kmart and Target, Big W have introduced strict in-store cleaning practices.

The retailer is using hospital grade cleaning materials across its stores and has reopened fitting rooms, with only every second room open to maintain its social distancing practices.

Each fitting room has hand sanitiser and cashless ‘tap and go’ payments are encouraged.

Customer numbers in store will be limited and during busy periods store teams will adhere to a ‘one in, and one out’ system.

David Jones

Similar to Myer, David Jones has enforced social distancing and has created specific entry and exit points, so customers don’t come into contact with each other.

It has also increased its cleaning and hygiene program throughout stores.

Beauty services, lingerie fittings, alterations and dine-in services remain suspended.

JB Hi-Fi

The electronics retailer has restricted the number of people (staff and customers) allowed in each store at any given time.

All stores will allow a maximum of 100 people at any time, dependant on size.

The retailer has expanded its cleaning routines across its stores, with teams undergoing additional training on maintaining good hygiene practices.

Kmart

Kmart has introduced additional customer greeters for crowd control and to assist in customer counts.

Security guards have also been employed to assist with queue control and physical distancing in high traffic stores.

Team members will continually clean baskets and trolley handles during opening hours as well as self-serve registers after every customer

Protective screens have also been implemented where there is one-on-one service

Manned registers now have sneeze screens from May 15.

Mecca

At cosmetics giant Mecca instore numbers are restricted, there are no testers to try, browsing is prohibited and shoppers must wait to be escorted by a staff member.

Shoppers are being urged to arrive early with a list of items they need to avoid disappointment, with queues of customers being turned away from the Chadstone store on Saturday when it closed at 5pm.

When arriving at Mecca, customers must wait outside and have a temperature check on arrival.

The door person will what items you’re looking for and page a makeup specialist, meaning shopperscan’t leisurely browse.

The make up specialist will show customers testers but trying them is not allowed.

When the sale is put through, customers will then be escorted out and the next customer in line will be assisted.

Myer

Myer will reopen all of its Victorian stores this Wednesday with new social distancing and safety procedures in place.

Stores include Ballarat, Bendigo, Doncaster, Eastland, Fountain Gate, Frankston, Geelong, Highpoint, Southland, Werribee, Chadstone, Northland, Melbourne, Knox City.

Stores will be frequently cleaned, with protective items such as hand sanitiser stations, face masks and gloves available to team members.

Hand sanitiser will be available for our customers and sneeze guards at registers will be progressively rolled out across the stores.

Myer will reopen its Melbourne stores on Wednesday.

There will be social distancing of 1.5m between customers and team members, with clear signs across the stores.

Some services will remain suspended to reduce close contact, including beauty appointments, intimate apparel fittings and suit and shoe fittings.

Change rooms will be open with distancing and hygiene measures in place and contactless payments will remain.

Rebel Sport

Rebel Sport has introduced strict entry and exit points for customers, with shoppers asked to line up.

The store has strict social distancing rules, including distance between people paying for items at the check-outs.

Items across the store have also been spread out to ensure people are not directly in contact with each other.

Sephora

At Sephora, fixtures are deep cleaned and sanitised with antibacterial wipes and disinfectants regularly.

To control numbers in-store, it has a strict queuing system and temperature checks in place upon entry.

Its teams will be following a no-touch policy to help reduce community contact, which means all beauty services including custom and mini makeovers and Benefit Brow Services will remain suspended.

All testers and tools including makeup brushes and single-use applicators are stored away temporarily.

No testers on makeup shelves at Sephora amid coronavirus precautions.

Target

Target has increased in-store cleaning and frequent cleaning of high touch areas including customer trolley and basket handles, but has temporarily shut its fitting rooms.

Trolley and basket sanitising wipes are available at the front of every store.

Physical distancing is enforced while queuing at check-outs and service counter areas.

No signatures are required on receipts for refunds, lay-bys or click and collect orders.

The store is encouraging customers to use card payments at its manned registers wherever possible and are asking them to pack their own bags at checkout.

Target has temporarily shut its fitting rooms.

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