#Coronavirus

Apr 13, 2020
1 min

Amazon Hires 100K, Opens 75K Additional Roles as COVID-19 Surges Demand

Retail Dive | April 13, 2020 E-commerce has boomed as consumers worldwide practice social distancing and self-quarantining, leading online retailers and marketplaces like Amazon to amp up their supply chains to cope with increased demand. Amazon hired 100,000 employees over the last month, and the company plans to hire for an additional 75,000 roles as it continues to see increased demand. The additional warehouse workers will focus primarily on stocking and shipping of essen

Apr 10, 2020
1 min

Michigan Bans Retailers From Selling 'Non-Essential' Items

Business Insider | April 10, 2020 Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a new stay-at-home order that bars large stores like Walmart, Costco, and Target from selling "non-essential" items such as plants, furniture, paint, and more. The order requires stores larger than 50,000 square feet to close areas dedicated to carpeting, flooring, furniture, garden centers, plant nurseries, or paint. As well as not being able to sell "nonessential" items, these stores must also stop the

Apr 8, 2020
1 min

The Consumer After COVID-19

Retail Dive | April 8, 2020 Consumer behavior has changed drastically in the past few weeks. Many consumers are staying indoors and only leaving the house for essential items available at the select number of stores that are open. Otherwise, shopping is accomplished online. According to data from the Forter Global Merchant Network, the e-commerce marketplaces saw a 14% increase in volume between March 23 and March 30. Aside from a rise in e-commerce, the COVID-19 pandemic is

Apr 7, 2020
2 min

How to Deliver Incredible CX for Retail Customers During the COVID-19 Health Crisis

Retail Dive | April 7, 2020 Now more than ever, a consistent, delightful customer experience is crucial for maintaining customer loyalty in the retail sector. Here are four ways technology can help your brand navigate a rapidly changing marketplace, stay nimble, and address shifting customer needs. 1. Redefine customer engagement It is crucial for brands and retailers to redefine how they will engage digitally with their customers. That might mean optimizing websites with sel

Apr 5, 2020
1 min

March Store Traffic Drops 53%, But Some Retailers Stay Optimistic About A Rebound

Forbes | April 5, 2020 Foot traffic declined across the U.S. as the month progressed, with some regions heavily impacted due to government stay-at-home orders. According to RetailNext, March traffic fell 53% for stores that closed from last year and 21% for stores that stayed open. For April, foot traffic will be non-existent in most markets as many retailers closed all of their stores. Once stores are able to reopen, there are many factors that will be top of mind for retail

Apr 3, 2020
1 min

COVID-19: Where Are We Headed?

With the spread of coronavirus amongst the United States, several predicted global trends have been forced to be fast-tracked. How will people's behaviors evolve and what will they expect from retail post-coronavirus era? Here is a glance at a few of our predicted shifts post-COVID-19, As people move into a state of survival mode, this will drive consumer preferences towards products with attributes that reflect a sense of safety and security People will expect a re-evaluatio

Apr 3, 2020
1 min

Amazon Delays Prime Day Event Due to Coronavirus

Reuters | April 3, 2020 Amazon is postponing its major summer shopping event, Prime Day, until at least August due to the coronavirus. According to internal meeting notes seen by Reuters, the e-tailer is predicting a potential $100 million loss from excess devices, like its suite of voice-controlled Echo speakers, it may be forced to sell at a discount. Aside from Amazon-branded products, the postponement of this event will also affect third-party merchants who have come to

Apr 2, 2020
1 min

Target's Latest Safety Measures for Covid-19

A Bullseye View | April 2, 2020 Target is taking additional safety measures as shoppers continue to visit stores for food, medicines and essential supplies. Beginning April 4th, Target will monitor the number of guests in Target stores and limiting when necessary. If in-store limitations are needed guests will be instructed to wait outside the store with social distancing markers monitored by a Target team member. In addition to guest safety precautions, Target will provide

Mar 26, 2020
1 min

Walmart's $25 Million COVID-19 Commitment

Walmart, March 26, 2020 Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced a $25 million commitment on March 17th to support organizations on the frontlines responding to COVID-19, including $10 million to nine organizations that support food banks, schools and senior meal programs. On March 21st, the Walmart Foundation announced a $5 million grant to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, a global effort to help countries prevent, detect and respond to the novel coronavirus. Read

Mar 25, 2020
1 min

How Walmart is Helping Small Business Partners

Walmart, March 25, 2020 With many small businesses that operate inside Walmart Supercenters and Sam's Clubs feeling the effects of COVID-19, Walmart has agreed to waive rent for the month of April. These businesses include hair and nail salons, optometrists, restaurant franchises, veterinary clinics, local and regional banks and more. Walmart is also working with its suppliers to help dedicate resources and financing solutions through its Supply Chain financing program. Read

Mar 24, 2020
1 min

Walmart Launches Coronavirus Information Hub

Walmart, March 24, 2020 With recent developments in the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation, Walmart has launched an informational resource page to help keep the public up-to-date on how they are handling the situation. Within the information hub, Walmart has included details on how they are supporting both shoppers and their associates during these difficult times, as well as details on sanitation, store hours and pharmacy availability. View the Page Here #Retail #Walmart #Coro

Mar 24, 2020
1 min

Walmart Focuses on Health and Safety

Walmart, March 24, 2020 In amidst of the COVID-19 outbreak, Walmart has communicated ways they plan to keep their employees and shoppers safe. This includes adjusting operation hours, implementing sneeze guards at registers and solutions to regularly sanitizing shopping carts. Through June, Walmart associates have free access to Even, a mobile app that offers budgeting and savings assistance. In addition, associates and families have access to free telehealth doctor visits an

Mar 22, 2020
1 min

Dedicated Shopping Hours for Target's Team Members and Their Families

A Bullseye View | March 22, 2020 In addition to the $300 Million+ investment into their team members and communities, Target is setting aside dedicated time for store and distribution center team members to shop for essentials, such as food, baby products and medicine. Starting March 23rd, team members will be able to shop an hour before store opens every Monday, Friday and Saturday. During this time, they’ll be able to get critical items for themselves and their loved ones

Mar 20, 2020
1 min

Target Invests $300 Million Into Their Teams and Communities

A Bullseye View | March 20, 2020 Target's remains committed to supporting their team members and helping families cope with the coronavirus pandemic, helping them get the food, medicine, baby products and essentials they need. On March 20th, Target announced they will be investing more than $300 Million in added wages, a new paid leave program, bonus payouts and relief fund contributions. Investment details: All full-time and part-time hourly team members working in stores

Mar 19, 2020
1 min

Walmart Awards Cash Bonuses for Associates

Walmart, March 19, 2020 Walmart has announced plans to provide a special cash bonus for hourly associates in recognition of their hard work and dedication to serving customers during this national health crisis. The bonus will be $300 for full-time hourly associates and $150 for part-time hourly associates. Hourly associates employed by the company as of March 1st will qualify for the bonus, and it will be paid out on April 2nd. Read the full article here #Retail #Walmart #Co

Mar 17, 2020
1 min

Target Launches Coronavirus Information Hub

A Bullseye View, March, 2020 With recent developments in the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation, Target has launched an informational resource page to answer any questions and help keep the public up-to-date on how they are handling the quickly-escalating worldwide epidemic. As communities feel the impact from the changes in lifestyle, Target is taking steps to protect the public, their employees and families. This includes adjusting store hours and allowing vulnerable guests t

Mar 17, 2020
1 min

Target Adjusts Store Hours

A Bullseye View, March 17th, 2020 As we continue to adapt to the country’s fast-changing needs, Target has announced that it will reduce hours and close all stores at 9 PM daily. This will better help stores stock inventory and keep it thoroughly clean for guests. In addition, the first hour of shopping each Wednesday is reserved to support vulnerable guests, including the elderly and those with underlying health concerns. These changes will be in effect until further notice.

Mar 5, 2020
2 min

The Impact of the Coronavirus on Retail

Retail Dive, March 5, 2020 With the continued global spread of the Coronavirus, retailers' shift their main priority to the health and safety of both their workers and customers. As a result, many retailers have restricted company travel and encouraged employees to work from home in order to keep the virus from spending. Although many aspects of business have been affected, retailers' supply chain is quite possibly seeing the most disruption. According to Berkeley Research Gr