Retail’s covid response: 66% of supermarket workers say businesses now better placed to deal with second wave

Retailers’ efforts to keep employees and customers safe during the covid-19 pandemic have been recognised by frontline retail workers, the latest research from Axonify, the modern training and communication solution for frontline associates, reveals.

Original research of over 2,000 frontline workers in its ‘The State of Frontline Employee Training 2020’ report revealed that 71% of UK frontline retail staff felt the companies they work for had taken action to keep customers safe, while a further 70% agreed their employer had taken appropriate action to keep staff safe during the pandemic.  And, as the UK faces its second wave of coronavirus, 60% of retail staff felt that their employer’s initial response to covid-19 had better placed the business to deal with future crises, rising to two thirds (66%) of supermarket workers.

During the pandemic, store associates have had to navigate constantly shifting safety guidance – from managing occupancy to policing the wearing of face coverings and adapting to new rigorous hygiene and cleaning routines, all while delivering CX for shoppers at a safe distance.  Almost two thirds (65%) of supermarket workers and two fifths (39%) of retail staff said they had taken off new tasks and roles during the covid-19.

Last week, Sainsbury’s became the latest retailer to announce the tightening up on in-store safety restrictions, amid warnings that within weeks further cities could be placed into the Government’s tier-three lockdown.  The supermarket now requires customers to shop alone, with staff outside the store enforcing the new policy, as well as reducing the number of tills open in a bid to keep shoppers apart and stem the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, Tesco has also put new measures in place to stop panic buying, with staff policing ‘stockpiling limits’ on items, including flour, dried pasta, rice, toilet roll and tinned goods across its store network.

However, Axonify’s report showed there is still work to do with just 22% of UK retail workers that took on new tasks or job roles during the pandemic receiving related training to support them, which is leaving staff – and retail businesses – underprepared, as Carol Leaman, CEO of Axonify, explained:

“Historically, there has been an inaccurate and pervasive view that frontline workers aren’t worth investing in.  Luckily, the tides are changing because nothing brings a level of focus to the things that truly matter quite like a global pandemic.  It’s now crystal clear that business runs through the frontlines.  The things frontline employees do and don’t do absolutely impact how a business performs.”

“It is no question that the grocery and retail industries have been directly in the eye of the storm, so they have certainly been dealing with more chaos than the average employer.  But this is the canary in the coal mine.  If they don’t turn their attention to the actual training and support needs of their frontline soon, they risk getting swallowed up by competitors who are.”

Carol Leaman, CEO of Axonify

Join Retail Connections

Register here

Related insights

One in four shoppers avoid buying from international retailers due to concerns around returns

Co-op launches Member Prices online and via its app

Pennies Named Gold Charity Partner for Retail Technology Show 2024

UK consumers empty covid saving coffers as funds used to supplement cost-of-living spending dry up

UK shoppers twice as likely to be influenced by ads served on retailers’ websites compared to marketplaces

Dobell Menswear tailors post-purchase experiences for the perfect fit in partnership with Scurri

Join Retail Connections

Get the latest industry views and exclusive member offers sent direct to your mailbox.