The plan covers six topics – sales and income, staff, expenses, government support, operations, and tasks for employees – with fact sheets and reference documents and includes a task checklist for business preparedness.
Colin Pocklington, managing director Nationwide Jewellers, said the action plan forms one part of the buying group’s broad support strategy for members.
“The crisis that we are all facing continues to evolve, so it is quite likely that we will need to provide further recommendations in the future,” Pocklington said, adding, “Our team of 17 experienced staff, as well as our leasing and human resources consultants, are working on a range of tasks to assist members during this crisis.”
Download: Nationwide's COVID-19 retail action plan »
“We are creating websites with online shops, creating marketing material and e-catalogues, assisting with employment issues, providing information on government support and more.”
In New Zealand, Nationwide’s leasing consultant is providing assistance to jewellers exploring rent abatement and reductions due to the lockdown.
“We are doing our best to help our members get through this and come out the other side in a strong position, and ready to grow market share with the tools that we are providing,” Pocklington said.
Nationwide has 401 members across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. It was recently forced to cancel its annual members’ conference due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and safety concerns.
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