The measures pioneered in food stores, such as those of M&S and the big grocers, and then other retailers such as B&Q, have provided the wider industry with as good a starting point as could be hoped for as preparations get underway in earnest to open its doors to the public again on June 15.

Yes, it’s a shame that’s later than the June 1 blast-off date many had hoped for, but it does give retailers time to finesse their plans and ensure that the resumption of business as usual – sort of – is a red-letter day for the right reasons.