The past few days have been spent visiting a couple of chain retail stores and during my visit, I've noticed that both stores are not restocking new merchandise. If they do the shelves are sparse and almost empty. Have you noticed this too? It can mean a number of things and is to be expected with a pandemic. It could be a demographic thing, but I don't believe so. I would imagine if I traveled to California or New York I'd encounter the same.
During my visits to these stores and as I headed back to my car empty-handed my mind wandered about on the different reasons those shelves were empty. There's a number of reasons that come into play, but let's start with a pandemic. That will help to put these reasons into perspective.
Firstly, these stores don't know what tomorrow brings. Will they be forced to close again? Will shoppers return and shop in their stores like before the pandemic? Will the economy bottom out? Those three questions are key and help answer the question of why their inventory is so low.
I can assure you that these three questions have been asked over and over by corporate leaders and retail establishments. The problem, there is no easy answer. Their future is undetermined.
These questions bring on multiple questions and concerns and the to-do list is long.
The other day I was chatting with someone and they were pretending that times were, well like before the virus hit. I said to them, it is not like it was before! Businesses are taking precautions that they've never in their wildest dreams would have even considered say a year ago! Our minds are filled with unanswered questions and concerns.
Typically sales are down for most small businesses, including my small business, and the future is undetermined. That word! Undetermined! I now consider it a bad word!
Turning it around...
As I was walking back to my car I began to experience thankful feelings that immersed themselves in gratitude. I have kept a steady eye on Bittersweets numbers. Our numbers were'ent too bad, considering. Our overhead was low and since we make most of our inventory we have not been forced to depend on others for the goods that we carry in our store.
I know that this post seems gloomy and sad. It is not intended to bring you down. It's simply helping to expand your knowledge and understanding.
Bittersweet considers ourselves fortunate in more ways than we can count! We continue to offer new merchandise on a weekly basis and the reason we can do that and justify doing so is that we are a manufacture. I can assure you that if we were a wholesale, retail business, we would not be ordering new items nor re-stocking our shelves. There are too many risks involved in this unstable climate.
Sadness continues and let's be real...
I'm saddened by the fires burning in our country. So many lives are being emptied from their homes and their future is uncertain. That word!
We must not lose hope in our future and the grit and determination of our fellow man, woman. We are strong and resilient and with the grace of God, we shall move forward with even more determination and courage.
If you see someone that seems down, make an attempt to lift them up and let them know that you're thinking of them.
It may sound cliche, but love will win!
Treat other's the way you wish to be treated and remember that everyone is going through something. Some big somethings and some not so big.
Keep the faith.
Jill
