Bloomberg
– 17:37 – 4/06/2020
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Warehouses are struggling with reopening for curbside pickup as they try to determine if it would be safe and profitable
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Non-essential New York City stores, from clothing stores to toy stores, may soon offer limited services to shoppers yearning for freedom after months of confinement. But some of the largest stores in the city will not participate.
Several major retailers say they will not open for curbside pickup on June 8, the date that Governor Andrew Cuomo set for the first phase of recovery for the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States.
Coach, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman won’t open any of their New York fashion boutiques on Monday, according to a representative from its parent company Tapestry Inc.The luxury company has been reopening hundreds of stores in North America, Europe and Asia in recent weeks, with about half of its network of stores in the US and Canada, serving in the sidewalk, but expect more in New York City.
Makeup provider Ulta Beauty Inc. is also being cautious And there is no timeline yet for its city stores to reopen, as New York remains a high hurdle for an industry known for providing high-touch services for testing products. As of Thursday, only seven of the 51 Ulta stores in upstate New York are open for curbside pickup, all of which are located in the suburbs.
Warehouses are struggling with reopening for curbside pickup as they try to determine if it would be safe and profitable. Curbside help is different in cities than in suburban shopping centers, as urban consumers depend on public transportation. Although the collection is sure to increase sales with nearby buyers, it would need to drive enough business to make the costs worthwhile.
On top of that, some Manhattan stores have been damaged by looting, and storefronts on shopping streets such as Fifth Avenue, Broadway, and Madison Avenue have been lined with plywood to prevent damage.
Tiffany & Co., which operates a major flagship store on Fifth Avenue, has set a tentative reopening date for June 11.the company said. The jewelry store, in a temporary location next door while the main store is undergoing renovations, was closed this week amid protests.
Macy’s Inc., one of the largest department stores in the world, began talks with the office of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio in May about reopening.said Macy’s spokesman Blair Rosenberg. It has yet to come forward with a public plan to open its flagship store in Herald Square, which was targeted by looters earlier this week.
When it comes to curbside pickup in New York City, “the plan is to get involved,” Rosenberg said, “but as you know, we take things day to day.”
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