The cost to protect one store might reach $30,000, according to ServiceChannel. The list of preparations can include ordering plywood and barricades weeks in advance and upgrading security cameras. At some locations, guards might be posted around the clock. High-value items, like jewelry, are being moved to storage.
RiotGlass has seen a spike in demand for its reinforced glass this year, and orders for its break-resistant product surged before the election, according to CEO Brad Campbell.
“We’re way past the ability to bring in any new business,” Campbell said. “We’re just trying to keep up with all the ones that we promised before the election.”
Because converting every store into a fortress would be very expensive, chains are being selective, with a focus on urban flagships that are often vital. New York is home to the largest Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Tiffany & Co. shops in the world, with each retailer relying on a steady flow of visitors to drive sales, especially in the holiday months. Inactivity at just a few shops can make a significant impact on a company’s results.
That’s what played out in Hong Kong last year when weeks of anti-government protests forced many stores to shut down, including Burberry and Ralph Lauren, as major chains took large financial hits. Louis Vuitton ended up permanently closing one location.
Other cities are preparing and coordinating with major chains, too. Houston’s police force will put more cops on the street for Election Day and its aftermath. Atlanta officials say they’re gearing up for large protests. In Portland, home to months of unrest, police told businesses to remove dumpsters and signs to eliminate things that can be used as projectiles or fuel for fires.
Despite months to prepare, retailers and their suppliers are rushing to finish off security measures in the final days before the election.
“It’s been pretty daunting,” said Campbell of the push to get his company’s products installed in all the stores that ordered them. “We’re working around the clock.”
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.