With now 2 lockdowns under Ontarians belts and currently in a third, it has been hard for Canadians and Ontarians to stay afloat in these hard times. From March 17, 2020, to April 14, 2020, and then again, a week before the year anniversary of the second lockdown, on Apr. 8, 2021, Ontario was put into a stay-at-home order and lockdown. During the beginning of the pandemic, CERB was a country wide savior. It was able to help so many people who were put out of work, keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. But CERB can’t last forever with the country’s economy taking a hit due to the pandemic.
Throughout all 3 lockdowns, there were similarities to the layout of what we could and couldn’t do as citizens. One of them was in-store shopping. Malls were shut down, stores were closed, and workers were told to sit at home since they couldn’t go to work. The pandemic has changed the entire mindset of shopping in-store and “The impact COVID-19 has had on retail is immense,” says Chelsea Kramer, store manager at Sunglass Hut in White Oaks Mall.
“In-store retail was already declining and it was hard to get people to come in-store to do purchases as it was. Now with COVID and all of the safety requirements and you can’t not have your mask on, it’s created a huge disconnect from our customers,” Says Kramer, who was upset that she had to close her store due to the shutdown.
With vaccinations starting to be rolled out, there is speculation on whether after this lockdown, could we see another lockdown? “Personally, I really don’t want it. It has been a struggle as it is. It’s been a struggle to keep my business goals met and keep potentially even more business that’s not just lost, but customers that are lost because now they’re too scared to come in and see what we’re doing in store.” Kramer replied when asked if a future lockdown is to come.
When the lockdown is over, and the stay-at-home order is pulled, retail will be up and running. With workers currently stressed out over the situation at hand, all they can do is sit at home and wait until the government gives the order that retail can reopen.
Comments