Melbournians celebrate the reopening of retail with queues at midnight
As exciting as the AFL Grand Final is the long awaited reopening of Retail stores in Melbourne.
On Wednesday 27th October, radio announcers listed the stores that would open at midnight, including Large Format Retail store Spotlight.
Queues formed outside the Bayswater store from 10.30pm with over 200 Spotlight-lovers making it through the door just after midnight to purchase their long-awaited homemaker and craft supplies.
And to have a little fun!
COVIDsafe measures were in place to ensure the safety of the customers and team members including:
- Social distancing with clear markings on the floor and for the queue
- Hand sanitisers at the entrance
- Robust cleaning and disinfecting throughout the evening
Throughout the pandemic, like many retailers, Spotlight pivoted its business model to support its valued store teams and customers offering click and collect which is still available.
However, Spotlight CEO Quentin Gracanin remains firm in his belief that the success of Spotlight’s bricks and mortar are due to them being very tactile – where people can touch and feel.
“When you head into a Spotlight store, you can find almost everything you need to kit out your home,” he said.
“Kitchen and dining spaces, lounge and bedrooms, bathrooms and laundries are all covered by your local Spotlight store and nothing really beats being able to experience our range in person.
“You never know what you might find and often you leave with more than you expected.
“Our ranges of haberdashery and craft have expanded, and our party section can provide you with all of the decorations and costumes you need for your next celebration. Especially with Christmas right around the corner.”
Bayswater store manager Matt Wightman said of the night: “People were absolutely pumped to be able to return to the store in person – the energy was positive, buoying our team members who too were absolutely delighted to be back.
“We’d like to thank the local community for its ongoing support and look forward to continuing to surprise and delight customers.”
