One idea being floated is to move merchandise outside under tents, and use handheld devices to ring up sales. The technology is ready: Walmart debuted its “Checkout With Me” service in 2018. That would free up space in stores but could lead to theft and would still require social distancing. Weather would factor in as well, and the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving will be more rainy than usual, according to Weathertrends 360, a forecasting service used by retailers.
“It’s interesting, but ultimately very unrealistic,” Saunders said of outdoor marketplaces. “I don’t see it happening.”
Staggered Events
What has happened in previous years to ease the rush on Black Friday are staggered promotional events, often tied to particular categories, brands or gift ideas, that retailers hold in stores on the weekends leading up to Black Friday. This helps stores grab early bird shoppers and steal a march on rivals.
Such mini-events rely on must-have new items like the Nintendo Switch, which lured many shoppers into stores in 2018. And re-setting store displays each week could disrupt operations and put even more strain on store employees already concerned about Covid-19.
The stakes are even higher for mall-based retailers, many of whom were already struggling due to forced closures and diminished demand for apparel. A strong Black Friday could help salvage what’s been a horrendous year, but enclosed malls are the last place shoppers want to be right now. Online ordering could help, but even then, curbside pickup is not an option for many.
“Everybody is thinking outside the box, both literally and figuratively,” said Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners. “They’re scrambling.”
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.