Next website and app closed down as it shuts online orders due coronavirus worker safety fears
NEXT has closed its online shop due to coronavirus fears from warehouse staff.
The retailer, which was previously holding a 75 per cent sale online, posted a statement on its website confirming the closure lat night.
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It said: “NEXT has listened very carefully to its colleagues working in Warehousing and Distribution Operations to fulfil Online orders.
“It is clear that many increasingly feel they should be at home in the current climate.
“NEXT has therefore taken the difficult decision to temporarily close its Online, Warehousing and Distribution Operations from this evening, Thursday 26 March 2020.
“NEXT will not be taking any more Online orders after this time until further notice.”
It comes after staff raised concerns the two metre – or six foot – distance rule between people implemented by Prime Minister Boris Johnson was not being stuck to.
One employee, whose name has not been given, told BusinessLive: “Why is the call centre at Gedding Road, Leicester, still open with no provision made to the 2m separation? Even their India office is closed.”
Another said they were told it was up to them if they wanted to self-isolate when a colleague was diagnosed with coronavirus.
They said it could be unpaid or taken out of their holidays.
They said: “We are told to leave a 2m gap between each other by the Government, however at work I can see that the gap is only 1m. To be telling other colleagues you can self-isolate unpaid or take it from your holidays… is disgraceful.”
Meanwhile Next’s customers who hold credit accounts with the retailer have said they are concerned about paying their balances after the website’s shutdown.
One customer asked the company on Twitter: “How am I meant to make a payment for my credit account as the website is showing you have closed?”
Another said: “You have just sent me my bill but I can’t access my account online as you have the message about no further orders from 6PM and I can’t click past that screen. Do we not have to pay this month?”
While another said: “Good morning. While we agree with you not taking orders at the moment we do need still need access to our account online. We’re trying to pay you!”
Others raised concerns about not being able to return items or if their orders would be fulfilled.
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We’ve asked Next what happens with people who need to pay their bills, return items and who have made orders and we will update this article when we receive their response.
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Next’s online closure comes as retailers have either closed operations completely or gone online only after the government stated all “non essential” shops should close for at least three weeks.
River Island and TK Maxx have also closed their websites.
We’ve also made a list of all the stores that are still open under the government’s new rules.