Pre-COVID-19 lifestyle was easy and fun with little to no worry at all. People would walk around in crowded areas without giving it a second thought. Remember?
Now, social distancing is the norm, and this is the reality around the world. The policy was introduced to help curb the spread of this pandemic. Additionally, other precautions taken include regularly washing hands and wearing a mask in public. So the fact that malls will change due to COVID-19 is a reality for the retail industry.
Companies have closed office doors, and many people work from home. On top of that, shopping habits have changed. People no longer crowd in malls to buy, hang out, and eat. The risk is too high, forcing most to place orders online and have their items delivered.
Despite the increase in online shopping, some malls are still operational. The downside to that is they experience way less foot traffic. To meet set health standards, shops that remain open have set policies that all customers must now adhere to.
Don’t Touch If You Won’t Buy
Gone are the days you could touch everything that catches your eye on the shelves of your favorite store. Now all you can do is look and don’t get too close. COVID-19 is changing the shopping scene.
Due to increasing evidence of how long the virus can last on surfaces, customers are now prohibited from touching everything they set their sights on. Many people are also now wary of touching items that others handle and return on the shelves.
Additionally, many stores are discouraging customers from paying with cash. Some don’t accept cash at all and only permit contact-less payment methods like Apple Pay.
No Mask, No Entry
The debate on whether to wear a mask has resulted in many mixed feelings. Despite this, it’s now mandatory in many stores and malls. You can only access the premise when wearing a mask.
Since it’s tough to social-distance in malls, wearing a mask offers more protection to staff and shoppers. It’s all in a bid to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Malls are also looking into open-air spaces that might soon be the preference. The tight and cramped areas and stores now keep most people away.
Capacity Limitations
Finally, as more malls open up and people try out a new lifestyle, capacity will change. Most stores won’t permit more than a few people at a time. The same goes for the number of staff on duty during a shift.
Virtual Shopping
After the onset of self-quarantine, online shopping gained momentum. Now, more than ever, millions of people across the world shop online. Many stores are now investing in virtual spaces where they can display their merchandise.
The future calls for retailers to get more creative in online spaces thus attracting more customers. At the top of the list is coming up with more attractive ways to attract potential customers to their platforms. Many are turning to social media influencers as one way of directing traffic to their sites and pages.
Will Malls Go Back to Normal After COVID-19?
At this point it is difficult to stay. However, with all this talk of a new normal among high profile retailers, don’t be surprised if many of the new mall restrictions and regulations remain after COVID-19.
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