Even before the pandemic, the retail industry was in a state of constant innovation. COVID-19 has dramatically accelerated the pace of change, as retailers have implemented new policies and procedures to ensure the health and safety of their employees and their customers. We have seen innovations occur in weeks and months that would have normally taken years to implement.
Retailers have been on the front lines since the start of the pandemic. With the guidance of CDC and other health experts, retailers have gone above and beyond to protect the health and safety of their employees and customers. Retailers are constantly evaluating and refining their safety procedures and protocols and have proven they can operate safely and continue to grow the economy.
We are calling on state and local governments to focus on how retailers are safely selling items and not focus on what they are selling when making COVID-related decisions that impact store operations.
The unprecedented shift to e-commerce has had a profound effect on retailers. Many had to move quickly to meet the explosive demand for e-commerce offerings. This included a significant ramp up in “buy online, pick up in store” as well as curbside pickup capabilities. This dramatic increase has strained parcel delivery and last-mile operators, and these challenges will continue through the busy holiday season. This past fall, NRF ran a campaign — “New Holiday Traditions” — to encourage consumers to shop early during the holiday season to avoid any delivery delays.
Many of the changes that retailers have instituted during the pandemic will continue even after a vaccine is developed. The supply chain, from end to end, has become an even more critical factor for retailers as they seek to deliver value and safe experiences to consumers regardless of how they choose to shop.