Wales will reopen all remaining non-essential retail from 12 April. Credit: Phil Beard / Flickr.

The Government of Wales has announced plans to reopen all remaining shops in the country from 12 April as part of its roadmap out of lockdown.

The shops will open after having been made to shut for 102 days due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This will mark the completion of the phased reopening of non-essential retail in the country.

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The announcement was made by Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, who outlined a series of measures as the country aims to enter the third Alert Level by 17 May.

The Welsh Retail Consortium (WRC), a Wales-based trade association, welcomed the decision and said it expects the move to improve cash flow and boost confidence for retailers and their suppliers.

WRC head Sara Jones said: “Retail businesses have spent hundreds of millions on making their premises Covid-secure. Whilst retailers are working hard to maintain a safe shopping experience, shoppers themselves can play their part by adhering to the rules on face coverings, social distancing, queuing and hand sanitising.

“We know that previous re-openings have shown that demand can be slow to return, so the Welsh Government has a vital role to play in building up consumer confidence across the country to power the spending-led recovery.

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“All hopes will be pinned on consumers wanting to break free from home to browse the stores that have been out of bounds for months. Our retailers are certainly ready to rise to the challenge of being an integral motor in the Welsh economic engine once more.”

Last month, the Scottish Government confirmed that retail stores in Scotland will reopen in a phased manner from 5 April.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also announced plans to reopen non-essential retail in England from 12 April.