According to the Verdi union, the perfumery “Douglas” wanted to continue as a “drugstore” during the lockdown! This emerges from an instruction from the management to the branches in Hesse.
Because: drugstores are allowed to stay open even in lockdown, perfumeries not.
BILD reporters were able to see for themselves: branches were open in both Frankfurt and Fulda. This did not affect every branch of the chain, some were closed.
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Day one of the lockdown – but in Fulda “Douglas” was still open on Wednesday
Photo: Julius Böhm
Verdi Hessen has received the letter from the Douglas management. There it says: “We open our stores under the context that we are a drugstore, since we have the range of daily needs and basic supplies.”
To do this, the staff is instructed: “Please move the following items away from the sales area before opening your store: Decorative items and jewelry, for example Douglas Bear, Tosh except reading glasses, tree decorations. Our drugstore range should primarily be presented in the entrance area of the store, so that it is clear that we are a drugstore. “
Sense and purpose: Preparation for controls by the regulatory authorities. The letter therefore says: “Please identify yourself actively as employees and speak to the officials. Please do not have aggressive conversations and avoid arguments. Explains to the officials that this store is a drugstore. “
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And further: “We are trying to prevent our shops from being forcibly closed by signaling to the officers that we are obeying the orders. Please have the IDs shown to you and note down the names in the report template. If the officials want to close the store, please raise an oral objection. “
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At Verdi, this trick doesn’t do well at all.
Bernhard Schiederig, Head of Retail at Verdi Hessen: “Anyone who misinterprets the urgent lockdown and the permitted continuation of certain transactions in this way not only makes himself implausible. Douglas’ approach is disreputable to the greatest extent, however pleasant the smell of the open shops may be. That has to be stopped as soon as possible. “
Douglas countered the criticism
The perfumery chain, headquartered in Düsseldorf, makes billions in sales, employs 20,000 people in 2,400 branches in 26 countries.
Douglas contradicted the representation of the union. The company complies with all applicable regulations. The Corona regulations provide that drugstores can remain open. The term drugstore is not legally specified.
In common parlance it would be understood to mean retail establishments that sell personal care, beauty, cosmetic and hygiene products, among others. Therefore some of the Douglas branches with a range of drugstore products will remain open for shopping.
A company spokeswoman for BILD: “Other large drugstore chains offer a comparable range.” The health of customers and employees has the highest priority. “We will implement all necessary hygiene measures and ensure that they are regularly checked.”
++++ Update ++++
But now the perfumery chain is closing ALL branches and Douglas boss Tina Müller apologizes. Here you can read more about it!
