Many of us have spent the past few months getting used to the new normal of life in lockdown. Whether it was how to provide playdates for your children in quarantine, how to make your own masks, or what staples to have in your pantry, we started to get used to going outside only for essentials. Now that some states are loosening restrictions and stores are reopening, you may be wondering if it’s safe to go shopping — to pick up clothing, shoes, and other essentials in person — or just for some much-needed retail therapy.
Is it safe to go out shopping?
What to look for in stores
Small-business owner Merry Spooner Kuchle detailed to us the safety precautions her store is taking to protect both her employees and customers. In addition to limiting the number of people in the store at a time, they are requiring hand sanitization upon entry. “We have additional sanitizer in the store, and we sanitize high-touch surfaces often.”
Kuchle continued, “The store is laid out in a circular pathway to cut down on face-to-face interactions between customers.” A separation at the counter keeps customers and staff apart. “It is a hard balance between customer safety, expectations, and a desire for normalcy."
Many stores are also adding contactless methods of payment or are holding credit card machines for customers to tap, swipe, or insert the cards themselves.
If you need to buy clothing or shoes in-store, go online to research each store’s policies concerning fitting rooms, un-purchased items that were tried on, and returned items. According to CNBC, many stores — such as the Gap and Kohl's — have closed their fitting rooms until further notice and are holding returned items from 24-48 hours.
Consider browsing a store’s selection online first so you know what you’re looking for and can find the item quickly. Bring extra socks that you wear only for trying on shoes, and then change and wash all clothes (including bras and underwear) when you return home.
Some things to consider before you venture to your favorite retail store:
- Are sales associates required to wear masks?
- How many customers are allowed in the store at one time?
- Are they closing fitting rooms completely or just some of them?
- Do they sanitize the rooms between fittings?
- How long do they set aside or clean the clothes and shoes that were previously worn or returned?
For Edna Wehner, only stores that follow safety protocols will be getting her business. “I am only shopping in places where they either require you to wear a mask or they limit the number of people who go in.”
