Last-minute rehearsals at Kolkata malls to ensure faultless reopening

KOLKATA: Last-minute SOP checks, final briefing of retailers, security personnel and housekeeping staff, emergency situation drill — malls on Sunday witnessed frenzied activity as various stakeholders assembled for an eleventh-hour rehearsal before South City, Acropolis, Quest, Lake and the twin City Centres open doors on Monday morning.
And while there was excitement about resuming business after two and a half months, a current of anxiety was unmistakable. Aware that any misstep could prove costly, the mall authorities attempted to leave nothing to chance. “After the airport and hospitals, malls will probably see the largest convergence of people. Though the maximum head count has been stipulated and screening measures are in place, one cannot detect asymptomatic carriers,” said an executive in charge of a mall operation.

While markets are more risky due to absence of hygiene factors and compliance issues, the top boss of a mall management felt malls will be under scanner due to their profile and needed to be doubly careful that safety rules are not breached. Forum Courtyard, however, has decided to watch how the bigger malls function before opening on June 18. “We want to implement additional customer-centric safeguards and technology solutions, and will open a week later than the rest,” said Forum group deputy MD Vidyut Saraf.

Many mall retailers have invested in safety steps “We will have an attendant to screen and sanitize shoppers, and another to disinfect counter tops,” said Shiv Daswani, proprietor of children’s wear chain Little Shop.
However, some retailers haven’t taken a call on reopening on Monday due to the uncertainty over rentals during closure as well as the months ahead when business is expected to be lukewarm. Most mall operators, however, are bullish about 80% stores opening on Day 1. “It will take a while for customers to gain confidence, but it will be accepted as the new normal,” said South City mall vice-president Manmohan Bagree.
Sanjeev Mehra, vice-president of Quest, felt people will be desperate to step into a mall and has put in place a pre-book facility in its app. “Covid-19 has forced us to review the way we do business and is driving innovations that will be a part of our lives,” he said. The mall has also installed an anti-microbial spray. After the spray on dries on a surface, it forms a coating with millions of spikes that can attract, pierce and kill the membrane of pathogens.