Which fashion retailers are reopening today and what are the new shopping rules?

Stores have introduced strict new shopping guidelines to help keep customers safe

The high street has returned to business with non-essential retail given the green light to reopen from Monday 15 June.

Since lockdown began on 23 March, only shops selling essential items, such as food and medicine, have been allowed to remain open. But now a host of outlets including clothing retailers, homeware stores and charity shops have been able to welcome customers back into their stores, albeit under strict safety guidelines.

With new government rules to protect customers and staff from transmission of Covid-19, the high street shopping experience will look very different from the one we used to know. Hand sanitiser will be given to customers on arrival, baskets will be wiped down between uses and floor stickers will mark out distancing zones and one-way systems on the floor.

The number of people allowed in a store at any one time is also to be limited, based on the size of the shop, while customers will be encouraged to make contactless payments and only touch what they plan to buy. For many stores, this also means the closure of fitting rooms while others will quarantine any clothes that are tried on for 72 hours before placing them back on the shop floor.

Shops in Northern Ireland have been allowed to reopen since Friday 12 June under similar guidelines, but no firm dates have been set for Wales or Scotland.

The move will be welcome news for fashion fans looking to update their wardrobe with summer essentials but which shops are opening? Here is a list of major retailers open for business.

Debenhams

Debenhams has reopened 50 stores in England, with the rest to follow later in the week, and has already welcomed back customers in three Northern Ireland outlets.

All of the shops that have reopened are functioning with reduced shopping hours, with the majority open from 10am until 5pm seven days a week.

The move follows an announcement last month that the retailer would not reopen five of its stores once the nationwide lockdown is lifted, resulting in up 1,000 staff losing their jobs.

You can find out if your nearest store is open here.

Fenwicks

All Fenwicks stores have reopened, however the brand’s Bond Street location will only have its ground floor open for browsing. Customers will be able to visit the other fashion floors on request for assisted shopping.

In addition to expected measures, such as intensive cleaning and social distancing signage, all restaurants, cafes and beauty services will remain closed.

You can find out if your nearest store is open here.

H&M

(Getty (Getty)

H&M has reopened the majority of its stores and implemented a range of safety measures such as increased hygiene and cleaning routines, separate entrances and exits, and limited customer numbers entering stores.

The retailer has also adapted in store operations by closing fittings rooms, limiting the number of tills accepting cash, installing plexi screens for till points and suspending click and collect services.

You can find out if your nearest store is open here.

John Lewis

While just two John Lewis stores opened on 15 June, a further 11 stores are expected to follow on Thursday 18 June.

As well as maintaining social distancing and hygiene measures, close contact beauty services will not be available in-store until further notice.

You can find out if your nearest store is open here.

Marks & Spencer

While Marks & Spencer’s food halls have remained open throughout lockdown, its clothing space has been closed to customers.

However, from 15 June the retailer is opening the “majority” of its fashion areas. In addition to the expected health and safety measures, Marks & Spencer has confirmed there will be no bra, suit or children's shoes fittings for the time being.

You can find out if your nearest store is open here.

New Look

New Look has reopened more than 100 of is stores in England. However, the retailer has advised that store opening times may vary where it is currently operating with fewer team members.

To help keep its customers and staff safe, New Look is limiting the number of people who can shop in its stores at any one time, providing hand sanitiser, keeping fitting rooms closed and using screens at till points.

You can find out if your nearest store is open here.

Next

Next has reopened approximately 130 stores and is adhering to government guidelines by following social distancing, increasing hygiene measures and closing fitting rooms.

You can find out if your nearest store is open here.

& Other Stories

& Other Stories has opened many of its stores in England. The retailer has said it is conducting extensive cleaning in stores and is effectively keeping all commonly touched areas and equipment clean and disinfected.

It has also temporarily closed its fitting rooms and extended its return and exchange policy to 45 days.

You can find out if your nearest store is open here.

Primark

Hundreds of shoppers stand in line ahead of the store opening at Primark in Birmingham, Monday 15 June 2020 (Jacob King/PA Wire)

Primark has reopened all 153 of its stores in England.

The retailer is adhering to government safety rules by installing hand sanitiser dispensers at the entrance, limiting the number of shoppers allowed in each store at once and installing perspex screens at its tills.

Most Primark stores are operating slightly reduced hours so it is important to check your local store to see exactly when it is open.

You can find out if your nearest store is open here.

River Island

Over 150 River Island stores have reopened with more to follow on Thursday 18 June.

For now, all stores will have reduced opening hours and, as well as regular cleaning taking place throughout the day, there will be hand sanitiser stations set up for all to use.

All open stores have new measures in place to keep customers and staff safe, including reducing visitor numbers, installing clearly marked distancing zones and brand-new safety equipment.

You can find out if your nearest store is open here.

Selfridges

Luxury department store Selfridges has opened all four of its stores in London, Birmingham, Manchester Trafford and Manchester Exchange Square.

The retailer has introduced a number of safety measures such as cleaning shoes and accessories with sanitising spray and placing any clothing tried on in its fitting rooms in quarantine for 72 hours.

Each store is operating with reduced opening times, which you can find out more about here.

Topshop

A Topshop Topman store in Leeds, UK (iStock)

All Topshop stores have reopened in England. However, due to government guidelines, its stores in Scotland and Wales will remain closed until further notice.

The retailer has been making a number of changes to the way it operates with revised opening times, queuing areas and added floor markings. Topshop’s fitting rooms and personal shopping service stay closed to minimise contact.

You can find out if your nearest store is open here.

Zara

Zara has reopened most of its stores across England, however each location is operaiting with different opening times.

The retailer has ensured customers that it has necessary measures in place that are fully aligned with the UK requirements.

You can find out if your nearest store is open here.

Read more about what clothes shopping will look like as lockdown restrictions ease here.