by Chelsea Lamb Thousands of small businesses were forced to shut down at the start of COVID-19, but this has not kept new business applications in the U.S. from reaching a 13-year high. What has motivated all of these entrepreneurs to launch new ventures amid an economic crisis? Along with the fact that many of […]
COVID-19
COVID-19 June Trade Show Updates
Even though most states are starting to relieve their lockdown restrictions, some trade shows are still affected by the pandemic and are being postponed or cancelled until 2022. Here are two trade show updates that were poised to take place within the next few months: International New Age Trade Show Denver, CO, June 11-13, 2021: […]
What Retailers Can Learn from the COVID Vaccine Rollout
by Ravi Pratap Rolling out new vaccines for a new disease with an ASAP timeline is no small feat, and yet state and federal governments are making it happen. One component of their success so far is the QR (quick response) code, that square grid that can be often seen on labels and advertisements in […]
COVID-19 May Trade Show Updates
Even though most states are starting to relieve their lockdown restrictions, some trade shows are still affected by the pandemic and are being postponed or cancelled until 2022. Here is a list of trade show updates that were poised to take place within the next few months: Gift & Home Los Angeles, CA, April: Postponed […]
Positive Changes to State Regulations
Pandemic restrictions across the nation continue to lighten up as more COVID-19 vaccinations get administered to residents. Limitations such as indoor capacities, mask requirements, and even social distancing are being lifted, while frequently disinfecting surfaces remains paramount. Statistics as of the end of April revealed that over 216 million total vaccines have been administered to […]
April COVID-19 Trade Show Updates
Trade shows across the U.S. continue to be affected by COVID-19. While some shows are seeing success with in-person events, others are being postponed or cancelled altogether. Even though safety still remains the number one priority, one detail remains certain: retailers and wholesalers prefer in-person gatherings to see new products and place orders. There is […]
Gaining Consumer Trust Through Safe & Inclusive Shopping Experiences
by Kushagra Shrivastava Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the shopping experience had remained largely unchanged for years. In-store shopping and ecommerce served as the main purchasing platforms. A robust social media presence and various pickup and delivery options were helpful, but not critical to business survival. In 2020, that changed overnight. The Rise of Ecommerce […]
State Regulations for In-Store Shopping
Updated 12/1/20 In the wake of the reopening of brick-and-mortar retailers nationwide, business owners have been forced to keep up with the state by state requirements in order to keep their storefronts open to the public. Independent Retailer has curated a list of the regulations in each state, as well as links to official government […]
How Retailers Can Make Brick-and-Mortar a Business Boon in 2021
by David Mayer Physical retail has been in decline for more than a decade. While grocery saw a temporary reprieve during the onset of COVID-19 as shoppers stockpiled and avoided restaurants, March 2021 will likely see year-over-year declines as the world returns to pre-pandemic norms. To continue to thrive, retailers need to address the core […]
Make Your Brick-and-Mortar Store Safer with Touchless Tech
by Chad Halvorson This year’s holiday shopping season will be, without a doubt, the most unusual in memory (thanks to COVID-19), and brick-and-mortar store operators now have more to focus on than ever – from the perpetual generation of enough revenue to stay afloat another year to keeping consumers and employees safe from coronavirus infection […]