Lush plans to reopen all of its US and Canada stores by early July, and the beauty retailer will require handwashing and a pause on product demos

• Lush plans to resume all retail operations across North America by early July, a brand representative told Insider via email.
• Shops will first be open at limited capacity or will be allowing shoppers to make purchases online and pick up in-store.
• Once shops are open for in-person visits, customers will be required to wash their hands and can use Lush's handwashing stations with no purchase necessary.
• Customers can ask for new products if they don't want to buy an item that's package-free or on display to other shoppers.

Lush stores are starting to reopen, and the cosmetics brand will reopen all of its retail locations across North America by early July, a Lush representative told Insider in an email on Friday.

Initially, Lush closed all of its stores in the US and Canada starting March 16 in response to restrictions on in-person interactions and social distancing guidelines from the World Health Organization, according to a press release obtained by Insider.

Walking into a Lush store is a sensory experience filled with opportunities to test hand soaps, face products, and other cosmetics. But like other beauty retailers such as Ulta and Sephora — which are known for offering product testing — Lush is making changes to its in-store experience to make customers feel comfortable purchasing products that are on display in the store.

First, Lush stores will offer contact-less pick-up.

"Lush is taking a people-first phased approach to its reopening strategy. Beginning with a phased roll-out of contactless pickup, we're now shifting towards 'buy online, pickup in-store' and shops opening at reduced capacity," a Lush representative told Insider.

Lush will then reopen its stores and include the following precautions:

• Stores will have reduced capacity, based on local government guidelines
• Stores will include physical markers to encourage customers to stand six feet apart
• Customers will be asked to wash their hands upon entry — no purchase required — and can access clean sinks and soap at stores' handwashing stations
• Stores will utilize contact-free payment methods
• Debit terminals and checkout counter areas will be sanitized after each customer
• Surfaces throughout the shop will be sanitized regularly
• Staff members will be required to wash their hands when assisting different customers
• Customers can ask for new products if they are not comfortable purchasing package-free products or items used on displays
• Lush team members will wear masks and it will be requested that customers wear them
• Product demos will be put on hold until further notice

"From day one, the health and wellbeing of Lush staff, customers and community has been our top priority," a Lush representative wrote.

"While customers can expect the same highly personalized service Lush is known for, the in-store experience will look just a little different in order to maintain everybody's comfort and safety."

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