Christmas festooned merchandise, eggnog scented candles and massive blockbuster deals. There’s no holiday without hectic lines in packed stores while trying to buy gifts for family and friends. Yet, in these unprecedented times, businesses have turned to improving online shopping, reducing store capacities and avoiding all close contact in the midst of the pandemic. 

Since spring, many businesses have had a shift in demands. Online shopping and at home accessibility has increased. According to the foundation of U.S commerce, e-commerce sales grew more than 30% between the first and second quarter of 2020

According to the National Retail Federation, people are buying products that align with social distancing lifestyles. There is a huge uptick in electronics like iPads and laptops, reflecting stay-in-place routines.  

“I have bought all new electronics including an iPhone,” said North graduate Kealy Schaefer. “Moving to all remote takes a toll on learning, and new tech items help adjust for at-home learning.”

Businesses are still open despite the increase in online purchases for home essentials. Many managements have created new protocols including strict cleaning procedures to ensure a safe shopping environment. 

“We have new job positions just for cleaning and tallying the people who come in,” TJ Maxx employee and North junior Tvisha Baxi said.

Most stores like TJ Maxx follow an hourly regimen of cleaning high-touch surfaces, disinfecting doorknobs, light switches and even hangers. A tally tracker is used to count every person who walks into the store to avoid maximum capacity. 

“It looks quite intimidating having us employees stand and watch customers come in and out,” says TJ Maxx employee Mylee Bartz. “I hope they realize it’s for their safety just as much as ours.” 

Avoiding  Covid-19 doesn’t just apply to customers, but also to employees. It is mandatory for most business employees to stay at home if they are feeling any symptoms.  

PINK brand manager Nicolette Gierut keeps strict checkups on her employees and their well being. 

“First, at the beginning of every shift, you now take your temperature and answer to having no flu-like symptoms to ensure the safety of our customers and staff,” Gierut said. “We also service our customers by keeping a six-foot distance.” 

Ensuring the safety of everyone can be quite difficult, yet the biggest struggle is persuading people to actually come in and shop. Companies are providing a variety of promotions, discounts and deals to increase sales.

For small businesses like Hand and Stone Spa, they are promoting discounted memberships and holiday bundles.

“People who don’t buy the memberships, usually miss out on our deals, especially on merchandise,” employee and current North senior  Taylor Yurco said.  “Promoting our discounted memberships have allowed more and more customers to buy them for the holiday season, helping our sales even if we can only have minimum customers in our store during this time.” 

Many media outlets have joined forces with local businesses to promote each other’s brand in an attempt to increase revenue.

“We have the local radio station give us live shoutouts on the air,” Yurco said. “We have created a way to endorse our products while the station gets discounted items or services for later use. It’s nice to know the community comes together for its people.”