The challenge of social distancing and stores/trade is uneven. To say the least.

1) You are hostage to customers, even in the best-planned stores with properly limited numbers based on store footage.

Customers by definition are illogical creatures. Some don't follow the rules, or even see the signs.

2) Often they 'sleep shop' around the store, following a rough route and buying half on autopilot and half when they see something new, or interesting.

3) Even when they're in and following rules, some customers want to take a short holiday between choosing products in the ready meals aisle.

Or looking in shock at people getting past in the cleaning aisle whilst they're busy smelling the various scents of laundry powder.

4) Of course, the retailer has to do enough, anecdotal evidence from customers of how they judge things to be is never good. Aldi and Lidl have smaller stores which immediately makes it look too busy if too many are in-store, or even too many at one time.

5) A customer will judge a store now from entering the car park, truly.

Long queue outside?

U-turn.

BUT a positive perception around safety perhaps.

6) No queue - perhaps a feeling of trepidation because everywhere else has a queue outside.

If the customer gets inside and it's carnage with people everywhere, perhaps the most negative perception a person could have of a retailer, let alone an individual store.

7) Signage and organisation is everything.

One way systems are good. B&Q are the best I've seen at this, they did have some time but they're so strict with it and it's a proper one-way system.

There's no cut through near tills.

8) Quiet stores are not necessarily quiet anymore, in fact, customers may well seek out 'quieter' stores, giving them a new lease of life in terms of sales.

9) Shopping times are uneven, to say the least. With furlough and people off work with the kids, or out of work entirely. There isn't a post-work rush (this may change slightly in coming weeks)..

So picking a time to shop can be difficult.

10) Strange world we are in:

Customer no.1 expectation - safety.

Queues = a good sign for safety.

Priority for customers remains value, but other elements are now in play as well.