By EARYEL BOWLEG
Tribune Staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
A MANAGER of a local clothing store said curbside restrictions are “killing” the retail sector.
“I think clothing stores are the worst for curbside. It’s no way we can survive. Rubin’s (has) been around 92 years and it’s killing us,” said Wanda Cartwright. of Rubin’s Palmdale Plaza location.
“They (the customers) cannot buy clothes and stuff without looking to see what we have - they cannot. This does not work.
“We’re only here because our bosses asked to come in and see what happens.”
She reasoned that if people can go to supermarkets en masse, then clothing stores should be able to limit the amount of customers who come into their business in order to operate.
“I don’t know who’s advising him (Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis) but he has a serious problem if he can’t let two people in our shop and the food stores full of people and everywhere else that sells food but they can’t have two at (a time at) our stores.”
“They’re not catching no COVID in clothing stores.
“They let people in the bank. Why can’t they come in here one, two at a time? (At the most there are) three people in here. They are trying to put everybody out of work.”
For Fine Threads managing director Adam Treco, being restricted to only curbside sales is almost like being told to close.
With Monday being a national holiday, Tuesday was the first day for many retailers in New Providence to return curbside sales due to new COVID-19 restrictions.
This restriction was last implemented during the first wave of the disease.
“When we did this in May, sales were down essentially 60-70 percent and when the curbside was attempted again I think after the second lockdown ...it was vaguely similar although not as bad,” he said. “I suspect we’re gonna have a May-like experience this time especially since nobody knows when we’re going to reopen and that puts a lot of uncertainty (out there).
“I mean there’s no real weddings...there’s no real funerals. Restaurants are closed, nobody’s going on a date. So, the real question is what are people buying clothes for unless it’s super mandatory?”
He added it’s a big inconvenience for most people to be asked to do curbside only as customers will have to WhatsApp or call staff first instead of being able to just show up at the store.
“It is difficult because most people like to try on their clothes if it’s not something they’re hyper-familiar with. So I think most guys who are the corporate clients who do buy from us regularly, they’re relatively comfortable because they know how our stuff fits already.
“Clothes aren’t food,“ he added. “Most people don’t know what size suit they wear. They might only know ‘medium.’”
New Providence and Abaco are under new restrictive measures, which were announced last Wednesday. Restrictions now limit retail sales to only allowed by curbside except for food stores. Customers are not permitted to enter stores as relates to all other retail establishments.
Comments
UN 4 years, 2 months ago
They’re only focusing on the tourists as if local businesses don’t help them at all. What happens if doing this causes more businesses to fail and the tourism numbers are low? No $ at all to pay back debt. I shopped recently and it was with a purpose (didn’t view it as a hangout - was in and out).
mandela 4 years, 2 months ago
Making certain business do curbside is so stupid, ridiculous, and has no chance of working, I believe those incompetent persons steering this COVID-19 recovery ship are pulling rules and regulations out of their A%$$S
jackbnimble 4 years, 2 months ago
Selling clothing curbside is the dumbest idea. Who came up with it? Oh I forgot- the incompetent authority!
I for one need to see and try on my clothing. How do I know if it fits! Do I try it on on the curbside? What colours do they have? Does the sales associate have to walk out the front door with 5 to 10 pieces of clothing in their hand so that I can look and decide? What if that’s not what I want? How many trips does she have to make inside until I decide? I’m sure you get the picture!
People are actually paying for brick and mortar to deal with dumbness!!
dajohhnycanoe 4 years, 2 months ago
Why is it the dumbest idea?
proudloudandfnm 4 years, 2 months ago
Pretty sure he answered that question canoe... Read his post again...
joeblow 4 years, 2 months ago
Nothing that requires choice or substitutions should be sold curbside. Business should be allowed to control entry to persons who are wearing masks!
themessenger 4 years, 2 months ago
Amen!
trueBahamian 4 years, 2 months ago
They were telling pharmacies before to do curbside as well. Clearly, there's no thought put into this process.
proudloudandfnm 4 years, 2 months ago
Nassau needs a four week lockdown immediately.
And the country needs a test, trace and isolate protocol established so we can avoid further lockdowns..
Come on! Why are we not doing what needs to be done?!?!?!?
truetruebahamian 4 years, 2 months ago
The P.M. has already had a brain lockdown. He doesn't see or want to see reality. I do believe that it is up to every citizen to protest to the extreme, but then there are certain sectors of our populous that he loves to ignore or for whom that it is so much more satisfying to make life more difficult even though we are the engine drivers that make things happen and pay his overblown salary and keep him on his imaginary throne .
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