Health-related measures, such as social distancing and the use of protective equipment, are likely to remain in place beyond the current coronavirus crisis, according to Michel-Édouard Leclerc, the chief executive of French retailer E. Leclerc.
However, the supermarket boss believes that such measures will no longer be seen as a "constraint" to stores, but could work in a store's favour.
"Large food and non-food areas can offer much safer capacities due to their size," he wrote in a post on his blog.
Embracing Drive
One of the beneficiaries of the current crisis has been the Drive format, which Leclerc believes will continue to grow even as COVID-19 restrictions ease.
"Provided that the conditions for staff security and interaction with customers are refined, their future will be further boosted," Leclerc said of the format.
Leclerc also noted that the current situation has led to a return to packaged products, away from the 'bulk' trend of recent years, with organic practices coming up against health requirements.
In addition, purchasing power is likely to come under scrutiny once COVID-19 restrictions ease, which is likely to see a return to more segmented pricing, and possibly an increased role for private label.
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
