Costco, Gap And Other Retailers Sweeten Online Offerings, But It’s Coming At A Cost
Online shopping has been a boon for some retailers during the Covid-19 crisis. It has been a lifeline for others. But for nearly all companies, it’s brought a slew of new challenges. Many retailers were already expanding their e-commerce offerings prior to the coronavirus pandemic. The global crisis, though, has added greater urgency to that effort. With shuttered stores and customers holed up at home, online shopping suddenly became the only sales option for stores such as Macy’s, Kohl’s, and Gap. And even at retailers that stayed open, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, it became many shoppers’ preferences. The shift of sales online, through either curbside pickup or store-to-door delivery, is testing retailers and forcing them to change how they operate and train employees. It is also adding new costs that cut into their profits. Read more at CNBC.
