STAFF at the M&S store in Southampton's Westquay are among retailers using a mobile app to keep customers up to date on how busy the shop is.
The Supermarket Check-In app lets potential customers know the length of queues at checkouts and stock levels on essential items.
Staff have also launched a Facebook group and reached around 100,000 people through local residents groups as they attempt to get the word out that the store remains open, despite every other Westquay shop being closed during the coronavirus crisis.
The food hall is trading 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday and has excellent availability on food items, although flour is proving hard to come by.
A small selection of clothes including lingerie, children's wear, baby grows, sun cream and other seasonal items are also available.
Up to 48 customers are able to shop in the store at any one time due to social distancing measures.
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