As Covid-19 has swept throughout the globe it has left no holds barred in its ability to disrupt and, in a lot of ways, dismantle local commerce as we have always known it. As the government-mandated restrictions have ebbed and flowed across the world in terms of the chokehold they had on the liberties of mankind, many industries have had to adapt on a whim in order to stay afloat whilst trade looks different to how it used to. Here are the kinds of stores that the Australian government has deemed ‘essential shopping’, even during the most restrictive points of lockdown:
Supermarkets
This should be an obvious decision to have arrived at. With strict social distancing measures in place, it is obviously crucial that people be able to buy their groceries and fundamental household items (read: toilet paper) as they are needed. With many taking advantage of the click and collect and delivery options that the larger supermarket chains offer, supermarkets have been thriving commercially at least as much as they ever were.
Pharmacy
Again, an obvious verdict. With many offering pharmacy services online, pharmacies have operated as they always have alongside necessary social distancing protocol, as the need for medication will never slow down. In terms of commerciality, the pharmacy industry has not taken a hit. Instead, I would imagine it has only risen as the symptoms for Covid have increased the need for medication such as ibuprofen and Panadol, at a minimum.
Clothing Stores
Fashion retail has not always been permitted to stay open during the course of the pandemic, but it has only ever been forced to close under the most extreme point of lockdowns. Once again, when they have been allowed to remain open, adherence to strict safety and hygiene measures within the stores have had to occur, including social distancing (1.5 metres apart) in queues, regular cleaning of fitting rooms and any touchable surfaces, and constant provision of hand sanitizer within the shop.
Hospitality
This industry has probably undergone the most pivotal changes in order to stay afloat during this trying period. Often, unable to be open for patrons to visit, restaurants and food outlets have had to lean heavily on their take away opportunities. Take away cocktails started to become hugely popular, as well as make-it-yourself (MIY) meal kits for people to take home and create themselves. Many cafes would take it upon themselves to start selling fresh produce and grocery items as a way to generate income and cater to those who wanted to avoid the bigger marketplaces. The amount of creativity that went into cultivating income was remarkable, and a credit to the innovative resources and people within the industry.
It has been a collective effort of consumers and industry workers to provide a safe environment in which to shop, to uphold the expectations while you are in them, and bend constantly to the ever-changing criteria of every stage of lockdown. Some shops have not survived it. Many have had to restructure a great deal, others still have been crushed under the weight of constant or increased demand.
