THE latest coronavirus lockdown could cost retailers almost £1 billion in total, it has been claimed by a Scottish retail group.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed yesterday that shops and many other businesses must remain shut until at least the middle of February.
In addition to extending the lockdown, with a stay-at-home order for Scots, Sturgeon also confirmed schools and nurseries across Scotland will stay closed to most youngsters until at least the middle of next month.
The cautious announcement came despite the First Minister saying there were now “some cautious grounds for optimism” – as new Covid-19 infections reported in the previous 24 hours fell to the lowest level this year, with 1165 cases.
As the lockdown was extended, the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) – which has estimated stores are losing out on £135 million of sales per week – said this could see companies miss out on “almost £950m”.
SRC director David Lonsdale said: “The extended lockdown is a further blow to non-food stores who have already borne so much during this pandemic.
“It’s incredibly frustrating as retailers in Scotland have invested more than £50m thus far making stores Covid-secure for customers and staff, and Sage’s advice has said throughout that closing non-essential shops has a minimal impact on the spread of the virus.
“Scottish stores are set to miss out on almost £950 million of lost revenues during the current lockdown period.”
However, Sturgeon warned that the pressure on the NHS from coronavirus is “almost certain” to keep rising.
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