With many high street shops choosing to close their doors for the health and safety of their staff and customers never has the phrase “keep calm and carry on” seemed so relevant. With Government guidelines to follow and customers to support and supply, many across the sector are finding themselves going through a mix of scenarios day by day, hour by hour. 

“We’re finding more of our customers are taking telephone orders from their customers; added to which there’s an increase in online orders in order to stop the need to visit places face-to-face” reports Managing Director, Mark Diaj; adding “these are unprecedented times for many – having to find new ways to fulfil their customers’ needs; whether advising over the phone or sending goods mail order as opposed to goods being sold in-branch”.

Like many, Able2 have taken the decision to alter their opening hours to reduce any risk to their staff; explains Mark “by restricting our hours to 10am-3pm Monday to Friday we are mirroring what many of our customers have put in place themselves. We are still very much carrying on offering our usual excellent levels of service to all of our customers: with manufacturing, warehousing and distribution services are all still running as normal. Our warehouse is well-stocked and deliveries are still leaving our premises daily – whether to the store or taking advantage of our drop ship capacity; delivering directly to customers in need.”

Registered customers can order online at their convenience – placing orders 24 hours a day. Through this service customers can see real-time stock levels; ordering products that they might not ordinarily hold in stock in order to meet fluctuating customer requirements: placing Able2 very much at the coal face alongside their customers.