The post COVID retail environment
The post-COVID lockdown retail market is significantly different from the pre-pandemic era. The pandemic has reshaped the way people shop and the way retailers operate their businesses. Here are some of the major changes:
- Increase in E-commerce:
- Emphasis on Safety:
- Changing Consumer Behaviour:
- Rise of Contactless Payments:
- Shift to Local Shopping:
Key concepts covered include:
Online Presence
- Utilising social media
- Building your brand via online presence
- Tell your story
Customer Service
- What do you offer?
- Do you include value adds?
- What relationships are you building?
- Are your customers your advocate?
- What’s your common ground with your customers?
- Service over sales.
Understanding our customers
- Are you adapting to what your customers want?
- Who are your customers?
- Millennials and Baby Boomers
What is your product or service?
- What is your brand?
- Are you KIS? (Keeping it simple) eg packaging it up, eliminating decisions from consumer
- Do you incorporate an experience? If not, why not!!
Sustainability and Wellness
- A must in this retail environment
- Composting, no bags,
Local Shopping
- The message during COVID was loud and clear. How does this now continue
- Experiences and wanting to stay
- Collaboration between other businesses in your strip
What about my own business?
- Employees? Staff issues?
- Business Hours – examine the traditional 9 – 5
- Moving to remote
- Work-Life Balance. Work smarter, not harder