After The Extremes Of 2020, Retail Resilience Means A New Sense Of What’s Possible

Imagine that it’s the first week of January 2020 again. Justin Bieber has a new song. Impeachment is the talk of Washington, D.C. There is news of a flu-like virus outbreak in China, but unless you’re an epidemiologist or travel to the country, you might not be paying that much attention. There haven’t been any reported deaths yet. Now imagine a time traveler arrives and tells you what is to come: An out-of-control pandemic, full hospitals, mass deaths, stay-at-home orders, social distancing. In retail, the largest chains in the industry, along with scores of smaller retailers, close their entire footprint for around two months. There’s also triple-digit digital sales growth for some, the sudden prominence of curbside pickup and massive financial mobilization as companies try to stay afloat without their stores open. Read more at Retail Dive.