Signet Requiring Customers to Wear Masks in Stores

RAPAPORT... Signet Jewelers has extended its face-mask policy, which had previously applied only to employees, to include customers as well.The jeweler will offer disposable masks to any shoppers who don't have one with them, it said Tuesday. The decision, part of Signet's new Love Takes Care program, follows a collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic regarding proper coronavirus protocols."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 of Signet banners 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 July, the National Retail Federation (NRF) urged all US retailers to require employees and customers to wear protective face coverings while in stores. It also cosigned a letter with the US Chamber of Commerce and other industry groups calling for a national mask standard, which it sent to President Donald Trump."Workers serving customers should not have to make a critical decision as to whether they should risk exposure to infection or lose their jobs because a minority of people refuse to wear masks in order to help stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus," the NRF said in the July statement addressed to retailers.Signet will also offer face shields to employees and regularly sanitize jewelry and displays. Meanwhile, the jeweler will stagger appointments for piercings, with employees performing health assessments and temperature checks on all piercing customers.Image: A Signet employee wearing a face mask as part of the Love Takes Care program. (Signet Jewelers)