DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Will an Open Storefront-like solution work for retailers dealing with the likely continuation of COVID-19 restrictions on shopping? Why do you think the Open Storefronts campaign has not caught on like Open Streets: Restaurants and what can be done to address that?
Interactive Edge’s CEO, Zel Bianco comments, featured on RetailWire’s Braintrust:
There is no choice here in NYC. Either you do what you have to do or you close the doors. Retailers pay exorbitant rents in NYC, and restaurant operators are at the end of their ropes to try to make ends meet. They have all spent a great deal of money setting up outdoor spaces and built corrals around them with lights and heaters and still they are empty on most days, especially when the weather is cold. Workers carry tables and chairs back and forth each and every day and pray and hope the weather will cooperate.Makeshift stores have always been set up around the holidays and many retailers that can set up at least some of their inventory outside, should.
Read the entire article from RetailWire:
New York City is trying to kick stores to the curb
