The CEO of a local company believes the COVID-19 pandemic will forever change the way people think about shopping.
Canadian retailers have faced major upheaval as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some businesses have switched to online services, but many in this province have been forced to temporarily close.
Vigilant Management CEO, Terry Hussey says you can already see the immediate impact with stores limiting numbers or offering curbside picking, while people wear masks and exercise physical distancing while inside.
(Terry Hussey, file photo.)
He says there is a sense of anxiousness while shopping.
Hussey says even when you’re doing everything right, you’re sometimes nervous, looking at other people to see if they’re respecting public health measures or ignoring them—everything is perceived as a threat.
That, according to Hussey, is the sensation that will be lingering for a very long time—even post-vaccine and post-pandemic.
Hussey believes it will impact the bottom line for many businesses like those in tourism and hospitality, and restaurants that are really struggling.
Meanwhile, certain industries like grocery stores and food supply are doing better.
He’s not sure how the traditional retail model will survive this pandemic.
Hussey says even after the pandemic is over with and people go to clothing stores, he questions if they will want to try on a piece of clothing someone else may have touched or sneezed on.
He realizes this may not be a threat once there is a vaccine, but says the fear programmed into people will not immediately go away.
Hussey believes the companies who will leap forward will be the ones who address peoples’ fear over the safety of shopping in their establishments.
