COVID-19: Responsible trading during the coronavirus pandemic

Trading Standards

Amid the exceptional circumstances of the Covid-19 national crisis, Trading Standards alongside The Competition and Markets Authority are urging all businesses to behave fairly and responsibly towards their consumers during these difficult times. 

Charging unreasonably inflated prices and profiteering is also known as price gouging and could be considered a criminal breach of The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Trading Standards will investigate all such queries and take the necessary enforcement action where appropriate.

 

Social distancing and your customers

The government has published clear guidance on which business premises should close and which can stay open. For small neighbourhood retailers, who can play an important role in providing essential provisions such as food, the government says you can stay open but to observe principles of social-distancing.

Where possible, advise your customers to maintain a 2-metre distance from others and to avoid contact with others. The Association of Convenience Retailers have provided guidance including posters for retailers to display and manage their premises safely. This includes techniques such as marking out 2 metre gaps in queues at the till and using contactless payments. You can find posters on their website at https://www.acs.org.uk/covid-19-coronavirus-posters-retailers.

 

Local retailers organising home delivery and collections

Many small businesses are finding ways to keep trading through home delivery and collection services. This a positive and proactive approach that will help small businesses survive this pandemic.

Providing deliveries also supports those who are self-isolating and vulnerable residents. Again, the Association of Convenience Retailers have provided guidance for how these services can be set up and managed in a way that protects public health. The guidance covers the pragmatic steps you need to take. https://www.acs.org.uk/advice/home-delivery

 

Security and crime prevention

During these uncertain times, business premises may be exposed to the risks of opportunistic crime or anti-social behaviour. The Metropolitan Police Business Crime Hub has prepared crime prevention advice for businesses to help them take precautions to protect their premises and their customers.

The advice includes measures to secure business premises, particularly those that have been temporarily closed, and guidance on how to manage crowds and customer access to premises that remain open. Further information and the guidance can be found here: https://nbcc.police.uk/news/letter-from-the-nbcc-regarding-covid-19