Begin again, really?

Unlock 10 has permitted nonessential stores to go back to business while also issuing guidelines to minimise the risk of infection for staff and customers In the first week however Bandras typically buzzing shopping district was marked by uncharacteristic gloom with most major apparel stores closed to the public The few that have reopened are gingerly finding their way through the new normal with varying degrees of success as we observedKryolan City Waterfield RoadKryolan City reopened on Monday June 8 A sign taped outside the store indicates that it will be operational on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays from 1030 am to 5 pm At the time of our visit 2 pm on Wednesday June 10 there were no customers All visitors must undergo a temperature check and a quick sanitisation routine before entering the store The staff of five all wearing gloves and masks was cheerful empathetic and quick to assist usWe were informed by the store manager Jaywant that only four to five customers had visited the store since it reopened and all purchases so far had been of skincare products The use of testers was discouraged instead disposable spatulas were used to scoop out samples We noticed that these spatulas were immediately disposed off The store was wellstocked and staff members were restocking shelves While the lack of footfall was glaringly apparent the experience was reassuring given the focus on safety and the staffs attitudeTregravesmode Linking RoadTregravesmode showroomWednesday was the second day that the store had been operational after downing shutters for the lockdown We were ushered in and the staff performed a temperature check and hand sanitisation routine As with most stores along Linking Road there were no customers on Wednesday afternoon and the manager informed us that they had zero walkins Trials are permitted although customers must wear hand gloves before handling the footwear The staff also made a note of our name and contact details The store hasnt received any new stock since the lockdown and all customers can pick from are past collections The staffs attitude was friendly although we found that there was some confusion about the trial process especially since footwear requires it when we asked the staff they said that they were yet to receive guidelines from their head officeBaggit Linking RoadSquares marked out at BaggitThe store was staffed by a lone attendant who informed us that they had been operational since last Saturday This was their third day in business since reopening and they had received zero customers until we walked in Like most other stores Baggit too had squares marked out for customers to denote social distancing guidelines and had the mandatory protocol of hand sanitisation and temperature checks in place mdash oddly these checks are performed at the billing counter and not outside the store as one might expect Only two visitors are admitted into the store at a time The overall mood was quite desolate and we were happy to step out after a round of browsingW For Woman Linking RoadEntry allowed into the trial room at W For WomanUnlike the other stores we visited there were no checks or sanitisation offered The two staff members wore masks and gloves however they seemed completely unaware about routine safety protocol For instance we were invited to try garments three at a time and informed that returns would be accepted within 14 days of purchase There were no other customers at the time of our visit on a Friday afternoon Upon enquiring about sizing availability we were informed that there would be no new stocks for at least three months The staff followed us around the store at all times and seemed a little too eager to press for a sale All in all the lack of awareness about safety during the ongoing pandemic made this experience quite disconcerting and we were quick to make our exitAnokhi Waterfield RoadThe store is open on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays When we stopped by at 11 am on Friday morning a staff member did a quick temperature check and hand sanitisation routine at the entrance The twoteam staff was well informed about safety protocol maintained social distancing and reminded us that trials and returns were not permitted for safety reasons We were invited to browse at leisure and the staff offered handy tips to optimise the shopping experience for instance to buy freesize garments and nightwear such as kaftans to minimise sizing concerns and to size up so that the garment could be altered There was another customer at the time of our visit It was a reassuring experience overallCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest news