Although retail stores have dealt with fewer drastic coronavirus-related closures than indoor restaurants, museums and other recreational businesses, the pandemic has still radically restructured the industry.

With customers nervous to shop in person, e-commerce boomed during the pandemic and prompted thousands of shop closures across the country. And even with COVID-19 rates plummeting and more vaccinated civilians, the hits to in-person shopping aren’t not over yet; some studies are predicting thousands of new store closures still to come in 2021. But although a significant number of businesses have struggled, many big box retailers actually saw gains during the pandemic. Some small retailers also successfully pivoted to online selling, hybridizing their model for a future that will be increasingly (although likely not entirely) digital.

Today on AirTalk, we’re learning more about how the pandemic has affected retail. Are you a retail business owner? How has the pandemic affected your business, and how are you adapting going forward? We want to hear from you! Give us a call at 866-893-5722.

Guests:

Rachel Michelin, president and CEO of the California Retailers Association, the trade group representing all aspects of retail in the state; she tweets @RachelEMichelin

Alexis DeSalva Kahler, senior research analyst focusing on retail and e-commerce at Mintel, a global market research firm; she tweets @acdesalva

Martin Breidsprecher, chief operating officer of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce; he tweets @mbreidsprecher

Although retail stores have dealt with fewer drastic coronavirus-related closures than indoor restaurants, museums and other recreational businesses, the pandemic has still radically restructured the industry.
With customers nervous to shop in person, e-commerce&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/19/e-commerce-surged-during-covid-groceries-sporting-goods-top-gainers-.html" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/19/e-commerce-surged-during-covid-groceries-sporting-goods-top-gainers-.html">boomed&nbsp;</a>during the pandemic and prompted thousands of shop&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/28/10000-stores-set-to-close-in-2021-covid-keeps-pummeling-retailers.html" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/28/10000-stores-set-to-close-in-2021-covid-keeps-pummeling-retailers.html">closures&nbsp;</a>across the country. And even with COVID-19 rates plummeting and more vaccinated civilians, the hits to in-person shopping aren&rsquo;t not over yet; some studies are predicting thousands of&nbsp;<a href="https://coresight.com/research/us-and-uk-store-closures-review-2020-and-us-outlook-2021/" data-cke-saved-href="https://coresight.com/research/us-and-uk-store-closures-review-2020-and-us-outlook-2021/">new store closures</a>&nbsp;still to come in 2021. But although a significant number of businesses have struggled, many big box retailers actually saw gains during the pandemic. Some small retailers also successfully pivoted to online selling, hybridizing their model for a future that will be increasingly (although likely not entirely) digital.
Today on AirTalk, we&rsquo;re learning more about how the pandemic has affected retail. Are you a retail business owner? How has the pandemic affected your business, and how are you adapting going forward? We want to hear from you! Give us a call at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
<a href="https://calretailers.com/staff/rachel-michelin/" data-cke-saved-href="https://calretailers.com/staff/rachel-michelin/">Rachel Michelin</a>, president and CEO of the California Retailers Association, the trade group representing all aspects of retail in the state; she tweets&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/rachelemichelin?lang=en" data-cke-saved-href="https://twitter.com/rachelemichelin?lang=en">@RachelEMichelin</a>
<a href="https://www.mintel.com/team/adesalva" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.mintel.com/team/adesalva">Alexis DeSalva Kahler</a>, senior research analyst focusing on retail and e-commerce at Mintel, a global market research firm; she tweets&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/acdesalva?lang=en" data-cke-saved-href="https://twitter.com/acdesalva?lang=en">@acdesalva</a>
<a href="https://lachamber.com/chamber-staff/executive-office/martin-breidsprecher/" data-cke-saved-href="https://lachamber.com/chamber-staff/executive-office/martin-breidsprecher/">Martin Breidsprecher</a>, chief operating officer of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce; he tweets&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/mbreidsprecher?lang=en" data-cke-saved-href="https://twitter.com/mbreidsprecher?lang=en">@mbreidsprecher</a>

Join Larry Mantle weekdays for lively and in-depth discussions of Los Angeles and Southern California news, politics, science, entertainment, the arts and more. More AirTalk at www.kpcc.org.

Join Larry Mantle weekdays for lively and in-depth discussions of Los Angeles and Southern California news, politics, science, entertainment, the arts and more. More AirTalk at www.kpcc.org.

Lively and in-depth discussions of city news, politics, science, entertainment, the arts, and more.

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