The first day of Cyprus’ gradual exit from the Coronavirus lockdown was marked in the retail sector by increased traffic in the streets, long queues outside shops and discounts on many products.
A month and a half after closing, retail businesses relaunched operations today with an array of protective measures including gloves, masks and information signs on the new measures on floors and windows for customers to see.
Shopkeepers of 28th October Street in Nicosia told philenews that their spaces were diligently disinfected prior to reopening.
Above: A sign that reads: “Dear Customers, we inform you that the maximum number of people (allowed) in the store, including the staff, is 20.”
Some shopkeepers, especially in the electrical appliances shops, said that before opening time there were people waiting outside the store, likening the situation to Black Friday.
In other cases, business owners opened their stores feeling rather numb as they had to devote time to arrange the stock they had received before the lockdown and replace the winter merchandise in the shop windows with that of the new season.
In these shops visitors were scarce, but most owners estimate that it’s too early to draw conclusions.
Most business owners noted that they opened their shops with discounts up to 50% on their new stock in order to attract customers.
Retail goes online
Many business owners took their shops online after the closure of their physical stores in order to stay afloat as current expenses kept running.
But do to reduced liquidity among consumers, offers were also put in place for online purchases accompanied in many cases by free delivery.
One shop manager said that sales went well online and as a result many of the shelves were empty on Monday morning.
Source: philenews
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