Retailers Respond to Coronavirus Crisis

Recent survey findings show that, in light of the coronavirus pandemic, retailers expect to feel the pinch when it comes to sales and revenue. Understandably, the coronavirus has the whole world feeling on edge and as the Trump administration has now declared the pandemic a national emergency, concern continues to grow. Nevertheless, independent retailers are facing the crisis as best they can, even as they admit to fears of the unknown. As some bigger chains are cutting back on hours or facing severe shortages on basic essentials, many small retailers have had to make the difficult decision to close up shop, while others are keeping doors open and sanitizing every day.

Gail Bacchetti Gabbert
The Owl Box
Tracy, Calif.

It’s been a difficult transition.

We voluntarily closed our shop for two weeks to be protective of our staff and customers. We felt it was important to be a part of the “flattening the curve” strategy. We have, however, posted hours that our staff is available for phone orders and curbside pickup.

We are posting products and solutions for their home decor and gift giving needs. Today, we started putting craft boxes together for our customers to keep creative and busy with the kids while they are home from school. It’s been a difficult transition but it really has opened up our thinking about serving our community of customers.

Linda Pasco
Lemon Grass Gifts
Kennewick, Wash.

We’ve had to cut back on our part-time help.

We are still open and have to abide by a limited customer count, which we are happy to do. I made a video showing customers we clean all surfaces with disinfectant, including doors, and we offer hand sanitizer right by the keypad. We are offering home or front door delivery and have mailed product also. We’ve had to cut back on our part-time help and work more hours.

Carol Schroeder
Orange Tree Imports
Madison, Wis.

The scary thing about this situation is that we don’t know when it will end.

All of our locally owned businesses, including Orange Tree Imports, are struggling to determine the best course of action. We have temporarily suspended our Cooking School class and cancelled our upcoming Ukrainian Egg Art Demonstration. We’ve removed testers from our bath and body area, and of course, we’re on board with hand washing and sanitizing.

We’re talking about cutting back our hours, but since we’d still want to pay our staff we’re not sure that doing this would serve much good. As it is, there is plenty of social distancing in the store because we don’t have many customers.

In our weekly email blast to customers we promoted hand soap before things got as serious as they are now. Our social media has concentrated on things like jigsaw puzzles that we think will make time at home more enjoyable.

The scary thing about this situation is that we don’t know when it will end. I’d be okay with closing for a week or two, but not indefinitely!

Marsha Dautch
Reeds Jenss/Jenss Decor
Buffalo, N.Y.

We reach out to our customers on a daily basis.

As of now, we are open for regular hours. We have postponed our semi annual bridal event (that takes place in) mid-April. Being in New York, we have to abide by the governor’s rules which are becoming more stringent. We have a semi annual sale going on now and will extend that as long as we need to.

We are all nervous because this is such an unknown. We reach out to our customers on a daily basis. We will now reach out to our registered brides and see how we can get to their guests to help them choose gifts. We have posted on our social media that we continue to clean and sanitize the store all day. I hope everyone stays healthy and we get beyond this crisis soon.

Rebecca Shipley
Olathe Glass
Olathe, Kan.

I think this will be a huge hit to our first quarter.

Last Friday, I would have said that this will affect us no worse than a snowstorm but today, I think this will be a huge hit to our first quarter. We are in a luxury business. We don’t sell essentials. Which means, with a lot of out customers staying home without pay, we are not going to be the first purchase to prioritize.

As of today, we are open with a small crew. We have hand sanitizer at the door. We have suspended our events over the next 30 days and are praying this comes to an end soon.

We are opening our online store this week, which has been in the works for months now. It comes with a re-branding of the store that we are rolling out this summer and fall as we prepare to relocate the store. We will be changing the name to The Fabulous Fern, an Olathe Home Decor Company.

I reach out to customers daily on Facebook and Instagram. I am very uncertain right now.

Peter F. Kingston
Oak Park, Ill.
Tulipia Floral design

We want everyone to be safe.

We have implemented a delivery to doorstep policy, or customer pick up, in which we will bring out (your purchases) to your car. Our doors will be locked to the public. Tulipia Floral design is taking a hit by not allowing customers into the store but we want everyone to be safe.

Lisa Landry
Living & Giving
Rome, Ga.

Our plan is to take each day as it comes.

As I type this, a customer just came through the door and said, “I’m so excited you’re open!” There are many businesses that are closed. Today, we’ve actually had a very busy day of sales.

Last Friday was the first day we had a dramatic decrease in daily sales. Rome has four confirmed cases of COVID-19 so our community is on high alert. By end of day Saturday we realized it would be in our best interest to reduce store hours and let our employees stay home. Sheree and I could easily handle the slowdown in day-to-day and welcome the time to get caught up from Christmas. Are we concerned? Yes, we are. We planned some unique events in March, April and May and bought specific merchandise targeted to each one. March-June is the busiest time of year for us and we have merchandise on order to support planned sales.

We are readjusting orders and putting some on hold in an effort to be cautious about the next 6-8 weeks. We’re thankful for the cooperation of our community and their efforts to stay home. We realize it’s what we all need to do. We’re in the gift giving business and right now our priorities have shifted to just staying well. Our plan is to take each day as it comes.

Patti Greek
Greeks Bearing Gifts
Athens, Tenn.

My plan is to keep regular hours, but time will tell.

We are letting our customers know we are still here. What has kept us in business is that we wrap and deliver and we are still here, beginning our 24th year in June. This (time of quarantine) will give us (ample opportunity) to do lots of spring cleaning. We are filling our windows with daffodils tomorrow so it is very springy and bright.

I don’t have my head in the sand, but as long as we can, we will keep sending out photos of new items on Facebook and Instagram. My plan is to keep regular hours, but time will tell.

As far as “the back office approach,” I will actually be planning the 4th quarter ad placements with the area newspaper and Morning Fax (a great publication that goes out daily via email and fax). Also in the plan is extra training time for the staff going into a “busy late Spring and summer” when people will be getting out and shopping again.

I keep all the Gifts & Dec magazines, so this past Sunday I went through the pages I have torn out from articles or ads and have emailed those companies to possibly plan ahead for the 4th quarter.

One day at a time and washing hands is the best we all can do!

For more retailer responses to the coronavirus crisis, be sure to check out the social media discussions on GDA’s Facebook and Instagram pages.