Trade shows across the U.S. continue to be affected by COVID-19. While some shows are seeing success with in-person events, others are being postponed or cancelled altogether. Even though safety still remains the number one priority, one detail remains certain: retailers and wholesalers prefer in-person gatherings to see new products and place orders. There is […]
COVID-19
State Regulations for In-Store Shopping
Updated 3/30/2021 Things are finally starting to look up from the dark depths of the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumer outlook on the economy is rising, there are less hospitalizations due to the virus, and states are even beginning to lift their restrictions. Guidelines including indoor capacity and mandatory facial coverings are lightening up, so retailers can […]
Gaining Consumer Trust Through Safe & Inclusive Shopping Experiences
by Kushagra Shrivastava Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the shopping experience had remained largely unchanged for years. In-store shopping and ecommerce served as the main purchasing platforms. A robust social media presence and various pickup and delivery options were helpful, but not critical to business survival. In 2020, that changed overnight. The Rise of Ecommerce […]
State Regulations for In-Store Shopping
Updated 12/1/20 In the wake of the reopening of brick-and-mortar retailers nationwide, business owners have been forced to keep up with the state by state requirements in order to keep their storefronts open to the public. Independent Retailer has curated a list of the regulations in each state, as well as links to official government […]
How Retailers Can Make Brick-and-Mortar a Business Boon in 2021
by David Mayer Physical retail has been in decline for more than a decade. While grocery saw a temporary reprieve during the onset of COVID-19 as shoppers stockpiled and avoided restaurants, March 2021 will likely see year-over-year declines as the world returns to pre-pandemic norms. To continue to thrive, retailers need to address the core […]
Make Your Brick-and-Mortar Store Safer with Touchless Tech
by Chad Halvorson This year’s holiday shopping season will be, without a doubt, the most unusual in memory (thanks to COVID-19), and brick-and-mortar store operators now have more to focus on than ever – from the perpetual generation of enough revenue to stay afloat another year to keeping consumers and employees safe from coronavirus infection […]
How to Develop a Returns Strategy Around COVID-19 Challenges
With retailers putting the finishing touches on their holiday preparations, it’s now time to start thinking about the new year. Before the red hearts and chocolates of Valentine’s Day flutter your mind, there’s one more crucial aspect of the holidays that cannot be forgotten: Returns. Holiday returns are the jammed funny bones of this busy […]
How to ‘Pandemic – Proof’ Your Business for Second Wave Success
by Derek O’Carroll As winter approaches, a recent Brightpearl study of 500 retailers found that 43 percent of U.S. retailers do not believe their business could survive the devastating impact of a second wave of coronavirus, as the likelihood of widespread shutdowns and restrictions returning increases. The numbers are staggering: more than 100,000 businesses have […]
De-escalation Help Offered for Retail Employees Amid COVID Challenges
by Crisis Prevention Institute Anxiety continues to rise among the general public amid the relentless COVID-19 pandemic. Preparing retail staff early will help ease tensions in-store and provide better customer service going into the annual peak shopping season. Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) recently partnered with the NRF Foundation to develop training to prevent and de-escalate […]
Top Hiring Strategies Ahead of the COVID-19 Holiday Season
Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Christmas are coming up fast, and major retailers such as Best Buy, Kohl’s, Target, and Walmart are already changing their holiday store operations this year due to COVID-19. To accommodate these new operations, like increased pick-up and delivery options for customers, store managers will need extra hands on deck. Preparing for […]
