Penneys is finally reopening its doors this morning and the queues around the country have been building since the middle of the night.
There's no doubt there are a lot of excited people readying themselves for a return of 16 stores but their experience once they get inside this morning will be very different to before the lockdown.
A limited number of customers will be allowed into a store at the one time, while fitting rooms, tilets, cafés and beauty tester stands will not be available. Every second till will be closed, while there will be extra security staff and staff managing the entrances in order to ensure social distancing is maintained. These are just some of the new measures put in place in the wake of Covid-19.
Speaking ahead of the reopening, CEO of Primark - Penneys' parent company - Paul Merchant told RTÉ:
"While it might take a little longer to get into store, once inside, customers will find all their favourite Penneys products and plenty of choice as usual. We have worked hard to make sure that clear signage and extra help will be there to guide them through the changes we have made to allow for social distancing,"
While 16 of the stores reopen today, the remaining 20 will be opening on Monday. Clearly, many people are excited.
Queue for #Penneys #Cork at 9.15am pic.twitter.com/fKX2XsPTG0
— Fiona Corcoran (@fiona96fmnews) June 12, 2020
This is the queue outside of #penneys this morning in #Limerick pic.twitter.com/yC9c1BuYCw
— Senator Paul Gavan (@paul_gavan) June 12, 2020
About 70 people outside #penneys in #swords at 8am this morning. Pray for all the staff this weekend. @VirginMediaNews @rtenews @DublinLive pic.twitter.com/hKV7CvMheD
— Martin Keogh (@MartyKeogh) June 12, 2020
Hands up who's ready for #Penneys #Cork pic.twitter.com/0G7YPL7cr9
— KEN TOBIN #WashYourHands (@KENNYTCORK) June 11, 2020
So what time is the Applause for Penney's staff tomorrow night? #penneys
— Jennifer Canesten (@Jenni4Canesten) June 11, 2020
To all @Primark staff today.....may the odds be ever in your favor! ♥️ #penneys #primark #staystrong pic.twitter.com/9vMMaMHxzN
— Siobhan (@JLL_SiobhanC) June 12, 2020
Feel like it’s Christmas Eve waiting on #Penneys to open 😅 like what girl doesn’t need underwear pjs a new house coat an loads of crap ye don’t need 🤷🏼♀️💃🏽
— Emma Dillon (@xemma_dillonx) June 12, 2020
It's great to see shops opening & people getting their jobs back. If people are queueing for #Penneys, maybe it's because they need to buy something after 3 months of Penneys being closed. Stop calling them stupid. They're supporting shops & jobs on the main st. Good on them.
— Fiona Kenny (@FionaKenny1) June 12, 2020
tbh it's difficult to see joy here right now. So I hope those queuing for #Penneys have fun...and are extra nice to the staff ☺️
— Pursuit of balance (@HealthyBalance8) June 12, 2020
😄 We all know what happens when you go into Penneys for a pair of socks. pic.twitter.com/1h13gvVGTU
— 🎼SUSAN🌼📚☕🏍️ (@HappyIrishHiker) June 12, 2020
Image: Robson90 / Shutterstock.com
