AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 18, 2020
/PRNewswire/ -- To fight COVID-19 while reopening stores
across the U.S., Signet Jewelers (NYSE: SIG) today announced the
introduction of its comprehensive Love
Takes Care® store safety program, aimed at
heightening safety to both customers and employees. Created in
collaboration with Cleveland Clinic – the No. 2 ranked hospital in
the nation according to U.S. News and World Report, the
program's protocols follow or exceed guidance from the Centers for
Disease Control & Prevention. The program covers everything
from social distancing and customer face mask requirements, to
jewelry try-on procedures and safe piercing protocols, to daily
employee symptom screenings.
"It's our responsibility to provide our customers and employees
with the safe environments they expect, and we'll stop at nothing
to earn and keep their trust," said Jamie
Singleton, President, Kay
Jewelers, Zales and Peoples. "The world wants to beat
COVID-19 – and until that happens, we're adhering to strict health
and cleaning protocols in our Love Takes Care® safety program."
As of today, Signet has safely reopened most of its Kay, Jared,
Zales, Peoples and Piercing Pagoda stores using its Love Takes
Care® program.
Love Takes Care® underscores commitment to
safety
Since temporarily closing stores in late March to reduce risk of
virus spread, the company has been developing its Love Takes Care® program and
updating it regularly as new information and hyper-local data
emerge. The program addresses:
- Cleanliness protocols – Signet's stores have always upheld
strict cleaning protocols, but in consultation with Cleveland
Clinic, Love Takes
Care® established new, more robust standards,
recommended cleaning supplies, and increased frequency on a
scheduled rotation. It also requires that additional surfaces such
as jewelry tools and machinery be sanitized regularly. Signet's
reopened stores receive in-depth multiple cleanings daily.
- Face coverings – in line with guidance from Cleveland Clinic,
Signet last week extended its face-mask requirement that had
applied to employees to include customers, too. With customers'
convenience in mind, stores are stocked with disposable masks; for
customers who do not have a mask with them, store employees will
offer them one to wear. Also new as of this month, employees can
obtain face shields if they'd like one as an added layer of
protection.
- The jewelry try-on process – Each time a customer is offered a
ring, necklace, earring or another piece of jewelry to try on, the
employee first cleans it with alcohol wipes before providing it to
the customer, and again, once they're done.
- Ear piercings –The company's Piercing Pagoda brand and those
Kay stores participating in piercing have added new steps to its
multi-step piercing safety checklist, such as conducting a customer
health assessment and temperature check before a piercing,
requiring employees to wear a mandatory face shield while piercing
in addition to mandatory mask for both parties, and adding
additional cleaning measures throughout the process. Appointments
are now spaced 30 minutes apart.
- Employee training – To ensure consistent best practices across
stores, store employees undergo mandatory training to carry out
safety and health measures including sanitizing surfaces on a
frequent basis. They also are trained on advising customers on
safety rules and guidelines.
As a preventative measure for employees, staff have been
and continue to be required to complete a symptom screening and a
temperature check before each shift.
New online shopping options, curbside pickup
To provide customers with greater flexibility to shop where and
how they'd like, Signet continues to unveil new options for
browsing, shopping and pick-up.
During the pandemic, Signet's brands have connected with more
than 53 million customers via chat, social media, phone and email
and held more than 270,000 virtual appointments. On its brand
websites, customers can talk to their trusted jewelry consultant
via online chat, an instant "Live Advice" virtual connection or by
booking a virtual appointment with their locally based jeweler.
Signet continues to innovate its service options to meet customers
wherever they are physically located in other ways, such as holding
educational experiences on social media. The company's virtual
service is available 9 am EST to 9 pm
PST, seven days a week, in both English and in Spanish.
All stores now offer a safe pick-up option – Curbside Concierge
– for people who are purchasing an item from a store. The customer
can schedule Curbside Concierge appointments by phone or online,
and at that time they will receive a secret password to complete
the transaction securely. The company has completed more than
31,000 Curbside Concierge pick-ups to date.
PRESS CONTACT
signet@lividini.com
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SOURCE Signet Jewelers Ltd.