How Main Street Retailers Can Survive Coronavirus And Get Ready For Reopening
It’s been less than a month since President Trump called on the country to practice social distancing to stop the spread of the coronavirus. That led almost immediately to a virtual shutdown of the nation’s Main Street retailers that were classified as non-essential and to restaurants, pubs, and food service establishments to all but carry-out service. What started as a 15-day shutdown was extended another 30 days, as the computer models of the virus’ spread predicted death tolls that were unacceptable. But as the days advanced, those early models overstated the numbers and have been adjusted down. And early signs are the curve of infection has begun to flattened too. This is all good news for the American people, but the American economy is the collateral damage in the government’s war on coronavirus. Read more at Forbes.
I’d be curious as to how other retailers with brick and mortar stores are going to handle customers once the stay at home is lifted? This is a tactile business, customers touch everything, clothing, hangars, fixtures, counters etc . We can’t wash or dry clean clothing for sale. Are we going to keep our dressing rooms as open as they were pre pandemic. Do we take customer temps before we allow them in the store. I measure customers and basically put my arms around strangers all day long , Do i wear a hazmat suit, gloves and a mask when measuring a guy for a suit. Do I require them to do the same to protect myself and or my employees. We as an industry need answers and we need them before we are prematurely told it’s ok to go back to work.