As stores across the nation started reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic, many opened without fitting rooms.
While some retailers have started to reopen their dressing rooms in select locations – one step closer to a pre-COVID-19 shopping experience – others are keeping them closed indefinitely.
Even though it is a hassle to purchase items without trying on – you have gotten the wrong size or it’s unflattering – some shoppers may be hesitant to try on clothes during the pandemic.
According to a First Insight consumer survey of more than 1,000 people, which was conducted in late April, 65{f2a9790f1f5b326f5addd27543ef870bdef34be2bb42188b5ff1576c2dc9b21c} of women and 54{f2a9790f1f5b326f5addd27543ef870bdef34be2bb42188b5ff1576c2dc9b21c} of men say they will not feel safe trying on clothes in dressing rooms.
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Macy’s, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue have kept fitting rooms open, but there are fewer available as workers have to clean them between use. Items tried on and not purchased will be kept off the floor for at least 24 hours, depending on the retailer.
Some brands, such as Kendra Scott, are even taking an extra step in adapting to pandemic-era shopping by introducing virtual dressing rooms, which allows consumers to virtually test out clothes, shoes, and beauty products.
At cosmetic counters, product testers are now for display only and testing makeup with virtual apps is encouraged at Sephora and Ulta Beauty. Some stores have extended return periods because fitting rooms are closed.
Stores with reopened dressing rooms
The following stores have reopened fitting rooms:
American Eagle Outfitters and Aerie
American Eagle Outfitters has reopened fitting rooms with increased sanitization measures, such as steaming clothes that are removed from dressing rooms.
Athleta, Banana Republic and Gap
Gap confirmed that Athleta, Banana Republic and Gap have reopened most fitting rooms with increased cleaning and sanitization efforts.
Bloomingdale’s
Fitting rooms are reopened at select Bloomingdale’s locations at reduced capacity to follow social distancing and allow increased sanitization.
J.C. Penney
Most J.C. Penney fitting rooms are open where allowed based on state-issued guidelines. Alternating rooms will be open in order to follow social distancing, and rooms will be cleaned more frequently. There will also be a 24-hour hold on merchandise that has been tried on.
Macy’s
Macy’s has opened fitting rooms in certain locations, depending on local and state mandates. The number of available rooms in these select locations will be limited to maintain social distancing, and clothes that are tried on will be held back overnight.
Maurices
At Maurices, fitting rooms are “cleaned after every use & safety practices for tried-on items,” the company said on its website.
Nordstrom
Select Nordstrom locations have reopened fitting rooms with modified sanitization protocols to follow social distancing.
Old Navy
Old Navy has reopened most fitting rooms with increased cleaning and sanitization efforts
Stores keeping fitting rooms closed
The following stores have not reopened all fitting rooms:
Club Monaco
According to its website, Club Monaco will be keeping their fitting rooms closed, but will implement social distancing requirements once they do reopen.
Forever 21
Fitting rooms in all Forever 21 stores will remain closed until further notice.
H&M
H&M confirmed to USA TODAY that their fitting rooms are temporarily closed in all U.S. H&M stores.
Kohl’s
Kohl’s fitting rooms will be closed until further notice and the use of beauty testers has been suspended to reduce and minimize touch points.
Ross
Ross stores have closed all fitting rooms until further notice.
Target
Target fitting rooms are closed for the time being. However, shoppers may still use fitting rooms, or a mother’s room, for nursing if requested, the company confirmed to USA TODAY.
T.J. Maxx
Dressing rooms are temporarily closed until further notice.
Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters will keep fitting rooms closed until further notice.
Contributing: Kelly Tyko
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fitting rooms closed due to COVID-19: Target, Ross, T.J. Maxx, H&M
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