Fashion chain Quiz has started selling clothes online again after boosting social distancing and safety measures for warehouse workers.

Shares in the firm lifted 5% as it said its website was now fully functional, offering standard delivery services, in a move that comes a day after fashion retailer Next reopened its online operations.

It added that it will staff the warehouse with workers who are "willing and able to return to work safely".

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The group stressed it has "significantly" cut the number of employees working there at any given time to allow social distancing.

Quiz had initially kept its online operations open after shutting stores, but announced the temporary closure of its web service on March 27 following "feedback" from employees.

Quiz said: "The group has significantly reduced the number of employees working in the distribution centre at any given time to enable strict social distancing.

"A number of additional safety measures have also been implemented, including deep cleaning and the provision of personal protection equipment in order to keep its employees safe and protected."

Next returned to selling clothes online on Tuesday after it also put extra safety measures in place.

Higher gaming duties more than halved 888's profit last year, even as revenue hit a record $560.3 million (£445.3 million).

The betting business, which runs online casinos and bingo, said profit before tax hit $45.3 million (£36 million) in 2019, down from $108.7 million (£86.5 million) a year earlier.

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It revealed the 58% fall in profit alongside a 6% jump in revenue, largely driven by its casino business, which accounts for more than half of turnover and grew by 13%.

The business was forced to pay an extra 25.6 million dollars (£20.4 million) in added gaming taxes.

Chief executive Itai Pazner said: "2019 was a year of further strategic progress for 888. During the year, 888 welcomed a record number of new customers - more than a million - to its international brands, launched in new regulated markets with very encouraging initial results, and completed the acquisition of a first-class sports betting platform and team."

As an online-only business, 888 should be able to largely weather the coronavirus pandemic, which started after the period that it reported on Wednesday, it said.

However, it recognised that customers who are stuck inside all day might be more exposed to picking up harmful online gambling habits.

Mr Pazner said: "We continue to recognise that, with people spending more time at home and with increased levels of stress and economic uncertainty, 888's unwavering commitment to preventing gambling related harm is even more important than ever.

"We are proactively communicating with our customers to provide information on safer gambling and, where necessary, offer support."

The company's computers have also been set up to look out for new forms of potentially problem behaviour, so they can be flagged to human reviewers, it said.

Mr Pazner added: "Underpinned by the strength of 888's technology, our growing customer base and our talented and committed team, the board continues to see a number of significant and exciting growth opportunities for 888 which we are confident of progressing during 2020 and beyond."

Insurers liable for claims to cover business interruption due to coronavirus must pay out "as soon as is possible" to help small businesses survive the lockdown, the City watchdog has warned.

In a letter to insurance bosses, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said it wants firms to also make interim payouts in cases where a claim in full may not immediately be possible, or explain to the regulator why this has not been done.

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The FCA said it believes most firms only have basic insurance policies, which do not cover pandemics and will therefore not pay out.

It said there are cases where it is clear insurers are liable to pay out and must do so swiftly.

It comes as a raft of insurance firms are facing legal action after declining payouts for business interruption claims, despite stating that they would cover firms forced to shut due to a notifiable disease.

Hiscox is one of the insurers in the firing line, with the Hiscox Action Group set up by a group of brokers and loss adjusters to look at whether or not they have a case to take legal action.

FCA interim chief executive Christopher Woolard said: "There are policies where it is clear that the firm has an obligation to pay out on a policy.

"For these policies, it is important that claims are assessed and settled quickly.

"A key objective of the FCA is to ensure that financial pressures on policyholders are not exacerbated by slow payment; rather, such claims should be paid as soon as is possible."

The FCA said it also "expects firms to deliver" in supporting their small business policyholders in communicating with them clearly and quickly on whether their policies cover business interruption due to the pandemic.

Mr Woolard added that small firms - with an annual turnover of less than £6.5 million and fewer than 50 staff - can turn to the Financial Ombudsman Service in cases of dispute as a quicker alternative to legal action through the courts.

The FCA has set up a new unit, headed by Andrew Wigston, to co-ordinate its activities across small business issues, looking to support firms and gather intelligence about how they are treated by financial services firms during the crisis.

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