O2 uses tech to open stores in Northern Ireland

[Chris_K]

• O2 to reopen stores across Northern Ireland from 8^th June with new layouts and virtual queue system to save customer waiting time
• NHS staff and care workers offered queue jump priority access
• Followed by personalised O2 Guru appointments to fast track repairs 121 post-lockdown
• Updates on store locations and opening hours at o2.co.uk/storelocator

O2 will use virtual queuing technology and new store design to safely open its shops in Northern Ireland to customers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At these ‘future stores’, all customers will skip the queues and instead join a virtual system, receiving a text when an advisor is ready to assist them in a personal one to one appointment.

NHS and Care Workers who show their ID badges will also be given VIP access to skip the queue to speak to an advisor in store.

O2’s store team spent the first phase of lockdown working with experts to redesign its stores to keep them safe for customers when they were able to reopen. Through a series of trials, the team addressed problems including small shop space and face to face customer service, creating a more personal appointment system.

O2 has also used tech to help thousands of UK SMBs to keep trading during lockdown, with video consultation services and tools for remote working.

Here's a list of the 17 O2 stores across Northern Ireland that have opened today, 8th June:

• Antrim High Street
• Armagh
• Banbridge
• Bangor Main Street
• Belfast Castle Lane
• Coleraine
• Cookstown
• Downpatrick
• Dungannon
• Enniskillen
• Omagh
• Larne
• Limavady
• Lisburn
• Spencer Road
• Strabane
• The Junction

Gareth Turpin, Sales, Service and Retention Director, O2, said: “Retail has changed in the wake of COVID-19, and we need to make sure we adapt to that change. We have regrouped and worked out how our stores and our tech can be used to help customers and staff. The result is a more personal service which also saves customer waiting time. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to our stores to see the changes for themselves.”

David Mallon, Store Leader at O2’s Castlelane store said:  “We have spent the last few weeks preparing, training and adjusting to new ways of working, keeping the safety of our people and our customers at the forefront of everything we do.  My team and I are really looking forward to reopening and welcoming customers back into our store.”

As a result of the trials, and in line with government guidelines, the following process will be in place in stores:

• Social distancing measures throughout each store, with clear two metre floor markings
• Personalised service with a limit on the number of customers in-store at any one time
• Appointment system to make sure customers are not held in unnecessary queues or kept waiting
• Contactless payment limit has been increased to £45 with email receipts.
• All employees will be equipped with the appropriate PPE, including gloves and face coverings
• Screens at all open service areas
• Enhanced cleaning processes across stores with all product displays, furniture and chairs to be sanitised after every customer

O2 took the decision to close retail stores ahead of government guidance on 24th March.  Stores across Northern Ireland are confirmed to reopen on 8th June, with O2 stores in England reopening on Monday 15th June. O2’s retail locations in Scotland and Wales are due to reopen pending further guidance.

For information on store locations and opening hours please visit www.o2.co.uk/storelocator.

For further information about wider measures that O2 has put in place to help customers during this period visit https://www.o2.co.uk/covid-19.

[Cleoriff]

@Chris_K 

An extremely interesting concept. Looking forward to see how well it works. A satisfaction survey would be a good idea?

[madasaf1sh]

I really wish o2 and others would open / no queue system to more than NHS and Care workers as they arent the only key workers... they are also the Police, Fire, and those working for homeless charities and the RSPCA / SPCA etc who all do front line country critical work....

[Chris_K]

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@Cleoriff wrote:

@Chris_K 

An extremely interesting concept. Lookign forward to see how well it works. A satisfaction survey would be a good idea?

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This is as new for us as it is for our customers, and we're closely monitoring our store visits and interactions this week to see what our customers make of this new store layout and process. Customers will find that everything has been designed around them to keep them safe, as well as our store colleagues.

And we'll of course be monitoring on our social feeds to feedback anything from our customers - good or bad

[pgn]

Hah, everyone knows where "Spencer Road" is, I'll bet... 🤣 (not where you might think!).

That perennial problem - is it Derry or Londonderry. 

Actually, the other store is known as Foyleside, no city mentioned either as everyone knows where the River Foyle is... 😁

And where are they, in relation to each other? 

[Cleoriff]

Good find @pgn 

[pgn]

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@Cleoriff wrote:

Good find @pgn 

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And which is closer to the river... 🤣

 And both 5.8miles from where I am 👀🤔

[Cleoriff]

B Is closest. Is there a bridge, or do you have  to swim?

[pgn]

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@Cleoriff wrote:

B Is closest. Is there a bridge, or do you have  to swim?

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Actually Foyle Search and Rescue were called to three separate incidents of people entering the water yesterday - the picture shows the Foyleside-side of the river bank. 

https://www.derryjournal.com/news/foyle-search-and-rescue-respond-three-separate-incidents-2882729