Wicklow marketing, print and design company Absolute has responded to the Covid-19 threat by ramping up supplies of a signage system aimed at protecting staff and customers in retail outlets.

Bray-based Absolute provides QSafe, a modular system of floor graphics, posters and barrier signs allows retailers and service providers to create a logical and safe queuing system for their customers.

The breakthrough came a couple of weeks ago when management was approached by a leading retailer to produce indoor signage to aid safe queueing. 

Director Dermot Malone said: “Within days we were swamped with orders and our previous three-person team now comprises 15 workers involved in production, sales and delivery of QSafe.

“Those trading in essential services like food retail and pharmacy recognise a huge demand for their services just now. But they are also very conscious of keeping their employees and customers safe. This simple system means they have one less hassle to deal with.”

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The yellow and black design of the system follows the standard brand guidelines of other Covid-19 communications, and the range is durable, washable and waterproof, with simple instructions, and can be applied to internal or external queuing arrangements.

Absolute says its system comes as a pack, is sold online and can be delivered within 24 hours anywhere in the country. Packs are suited to any style of premises or checkout layout, and a video explains how and where to apply the laminated stickers and signs, in order to comply with recommended physical distancing guidelines.

Available in English and Irish versions, there is also a dedicated signage pack for pharmacy retailers, highlighting queues for prescription collection and other pharmacist services.

Absolute also has packs of 50 ‘Keep Safe Distance’ badges for employees in any work situation, a reminder to colleagues and members of the public in any workplace to practice physical distancing.

Malone commented: “Apart from customers queuing, we had business owners worried about their own staff momentarily forgetting and getting too close to a colleague. The bright yellow badges are an instant reminder to stay safe.”

He has plans to broaden the range to include family packs, on account of concerns for more vulnerable family members out and about for exercise and recreation, and packs for businesses operating outdoor spaces that include cone systems and weather-proof signage to guide safe transit around the trading area.

Pic: Photocall Ireland