Check In On The Retail Industry’s Recovery As SoCal Moves Into The Yellow Tier

Although retail stores have dealt with fewer drastic coronavirus-related closures than indoor restaurants, museums and other recreational businesses, the pandemic has still radically restructured the industry.

With customers nervous to shop in person, e-commerce boomed during the pandemic and prompted thousands of shop closures across the country. And even with COVID-19 rates plummeting and more vaccinated civilians, the hits to in-person shopping aren’t not over yet; some studies are predicting thousands of new store closures still to come in 2021. But although a significant number of businesses have struggled, many big box retailers actually saw gains during the pandemic. Some small retailers also successfully pivoted to online selling, hybridizing their model for a future that will be increasingly (although likely not entirely) digital.

Today on AirTalk, we’re learning more about how the pandemic has affected retail. Are you a retail business owner? How has the pandemic affected your business, and how are you adapting going forward? We want to hear from you! Give us a call at 866-893-5722.

Guests:

Rachel Michelin, president and CEO of the California Retailers Association, the trade group representing all aspects of retail in the state; she tweets @RachelEMichelin

Alexis DeSalva Kahler, senior research analyst focusing on retail and e-commerce at Mintel, a global market research firm; she tweets @acdesalva

Martin Breidsprecher, chief operating officer of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce; he tweets @mbreidsprecher

Although retail stores have dealt with fewer drastic coronavirus-related closures than indoor restaurants, museums and other recreational businesses, the pandemic has still radically restructured the industry.

With customers nervous to shop in person, e-commerce boomed during the pandemic and prompted thousands of shop closures across the country. And even with COVID-19 rates plummeting and more vaccinated civilians, the hits to in-person shopping aren’t not over yet; some studies are predicting thousands of new store closures still to come in 2021. But although a significant number of businesses have struggled, many big box retailers actually saw gains during the pandemic. Some small retailers also successfully pivoted to online selling, hybridizing their model for a future that will be increasingly (although likely not entirely) digital.

Today on AirTalk, we’re learning more about how the pandemic has affected retail. Are you a retail business owner? How has the pandemic affected your business, and how are you adapting going forward? We want to hear from you! Give us a call at 866-893-5722.

Guests:

Rachel Michelin, president and CEO of the California Retailers Association, the trade group representing all aspects of retail in the state; she tweets @RachelEMichelin

Alexis DeSalva Kahler, senior research analyst focusing on retail and e-commerce at Mintel, a global market research firm; she tweets @acdesalva

Martin Breidsprecher, chief operating officer of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce; he tweets @mbreidsprecher