Big W leads the charge to relax coronavirus restrictions

Big W will be one of the first department stores to relax COVID-19 restrictions.

Sarah Witzik is assisted by staff member Margie at the Big W at Warringah Mall in Sydney’s northern beaches on Wednesday Picture: Nikki Short

Big W will be one of the first ­department stores to relax COVID-19 restrictions, signalling that a return to life after the lockdown could be on the horizon.

The discount retailer will extend trading hours to 9pm for one day a week, with its national store network opting to stay open later on the traditional late night shopping day of Thursday or Friday ­depending on the states.

The move comes just before an expected Mother’s Day sales lift, but Big W says the decision has been driven by customers wanting more flexible shopping times.

Big W commercial general manager Teresa Rendo said the Woolworths-owned retail chain has had a recent surge in sales and patron numbers, resulting in a need to extend trading hours to maintain ongoing social distancing rules. “What we have decided to this week is review our late-night trading hours for one weekday evening … and the reason we have done that is to give Australian shoppers more flexibility,” Ms Rendo told The Australian.

Its decision coincides with federal and state governments seeking to ease current restrictions, which could see a broader reopening of the retail sector.

Ms Rendo said Big W remains “cautiously optimistic” conditions are relaxing. However, shopping sanctions could be in place for up to 12 months. “We remain aligned to all government advice,” she said. “It certainly gives us confidence that Australia is going in the right direction and some of those restrictions can be eased. But we do believe there will be some ongoing restrictions for some time.”

With the economy buffeted by the COVID-19 lockdown, Ms Rendo believes prices are likely to drive consumer purchase decisions, rather than convenience and value.

“I do think in a recessionary environment, price will probably overtake convenience,” Ms Rendo said.

The company has indicated the forced lockdown has accelerated its online presence, noting digital sales are trading two to three times higher compared to the same ­period last year.

Big W indicated that increased website traffic and pandemic impacts could result in permanent changes to its pre COVID-19 trading schedule.

Ms Rendo said ongoing hours would be determined by customer demand.

Throughout the six-week shutdown, Big W has rolled out contactless drive-up to 78 of its stores, doubled capacity of its home delivery service and implemented in-store contactless pick-up.

Its staff have also had the ability to pick up additional shifts at Woolworths supermarkets during the retail slump.