{"id":5665,"date":"2020-04-29T13:12:13","date_gmt":"2020-04-29T13:12:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-402808-2566796.cloudwaysapps.com\/de\/?p=5665"},"modified":"2022-05-15T08:51:56","modified_gmt":"2022-05-15T12:51:56","slug":"resumption-brick-and-mortar-shopping-how-can-specialty-retailers-prepare-for-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/storeforcesolutions.com\/de\/resumption-brick-and-mortar-shopping-how-can-specialty-retailers-prepare-for-it\/","title":{"rendered":"The Resumption of Brick and Mortar Shopping: How Can Specialty Retailers Prepare for It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The pandemic has forced you to close your stores, all of them, globally. As much as this is unprecedented, no one has a playbook for how to resume store operations when it is time. Many of your staff are furloughed and you have had a core team focused on cash flow planning for weeks now. It\u2019s time to get a core team focused on resuming store operations.<\/strong> It is time to build a plan to ramp up your revenue as quickly and profitably as possible. In the meantime, your digital team is exploring new ways to keep your customers engaged, so that when they are ready to shop, you are top of mind!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning Does Not Stop When Stores Reopen <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How fast will your customers return to your stores? How will the coronavirus outbreak affect their ability and desire to shop? Will there be pent-up demand? Should you expect a flood of e-commerce returns? Will your store associates be available when you need them? You are facing an unprecedented number of issues in the months ahead. And the planning does not stop when stores reopen. Your team will need to be adjusting \u2018on the fly\u2019<\/strong> as the impact of the pandemic becomes known jurisdiction by jurisdiction. This will help you build your business back up through the balance of the year. We have outlined some of the key steps for consideration as you set your plans in motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning to Reopen and Welcoming Customers Back<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, you want to reopen as soon as possible, but you will need to do so in stages. While state and city officials will provide guidance on dates for reopening, your\u00a0store leadership team<\/a>\u00a0needs to provide key operating guidelines to ensure chain-wide consistency on key items like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Key<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Corporate\/HR Policy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Will you screen employees for the virus and for exposure to those that have had the virus? What is your policy towards employees that are not confident to return to work right away? Those that might need a little more time because of underlying health conditions or those that are taking care of loved ones?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Store Readiness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What level of service will you offer when doors first reopen? Full service, curbside pickup, limited customers in the store at any time, distance markers on the floors, separation of POS devices, sanitizer for card reader terminals, etc. What is your policy for accessing dressing rooms? How will you handle merchandise once it is tried on, but not purchased? How many days prior to store opening do you need staff in the stores to receive or remove inventory, process markdowns, fulfill ship from store orders, handle repairs, reset displays and signage, etc.? Does your return policy need updating?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Mall Readiness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To what extent will the general readiness of the mall (i.e. social distancing standards for mall access, the readiness of other tenants) influence your decision to open stores? With folks simply wanting to be outside, are the stores located in outdoor lifestyle centers and those on the street a great first step for your reopening strategy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Staff Availability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Will your associates, Managers, and Field Leaders be available when and where you need them? Will some have taken jobs in other sectors? How are you sharing your plans and keeping\u00a0your workforce engaged<\/a>? Will staff availability limit the stores you can open?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Store Priority<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once states and cities approve reopening, do you open all stores, or do you select key stores by location or store type within an approved area? Do you want to reopen stores that have traditionally been higher volume sellers? Should you prioritize opening stores serving markets where online sales have been weak during the pandemic to bring back your customers? Blend of both? What will the hours be? And how do you effectively keep Google updated with changing store hours?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider the scenarios that make sense for your business and develop your policies. Store and District Managers need clear operating guidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Embracing Your Retail Associates \u2013 The Face of Your Brand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your frontline retail associates and leaders are the face of your brand. They deliver your brand experience. You need them to feel safe and confident coming to work, and to instill confidence in your customers that it is safe to enter your stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Store Roles Are Changing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n