Pandemic Operational Changes: Which Are Permanent?

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes to pharmacies, variety stores and discount shops. But which changes are permanent?

At Osara Commisary, Owner Davis Allison said his Seattle, Wash., store will keep their online store going for sure. “But I sure hope I can talk to people in my store without a plastic barrier between us again,” he said.

In Los Osos, Calif., at Tewell Los Osos Rexall, Owner Jason Tewell cited curbside services as change he wants to keep. “It’s been a big thing for us this year, and I don’t know why I haven’t been doing it for the last 10 years.”

At the Big Box Outlet in Mon- roe, Wash., Manager Colin Carlson doesn’t know what changes will be permanent, noting that he began working with the company during the pandemic. “I do know we have beefed up our online presence.”

In Langley Wash., on Whidbey Island, Tamar Felton, owner of The Star Store Drygoods agreed that it is hard to tell what changes she will keep and what she will not. “I haven’t been attending markets and shows, so I have to do more online buying which is a nuisance, not being able to have that hands-on feeling. In March we started paying hazard pay, an extra $2 for everyone in the store, and that is coimng off the bottom line. And all the sanitation procedures and supplies for the pandemic comes off our bottom line, too. I’m probably not going to keep any of this going after the pandemic ends. An online website isn’t for us either,” she said. “We usually tend to have small amounts of items, and the items change a lot. I did some clusters of photos on social media when the pandemic began, and I honestly found that more work than it’s worth.” There is one thing she may keep, however. “We do curbside pick-up now. We started that early on and continue with that, and that’s been successful. I don’t know if that is something we will continue or not, but I am definitely considering it.” ❖ and kids clothing, toys and puzzles for infants to adults, home décor items, everything. It’s essentially a contemporary, hip, department store/variety store, that’s us. We even have dinnerware, for when people can entertain again.” The 9,000-square-foot store also includes groceries in its merchandising mix.

In Los Osos, Calif., at Tewell Los Osos Rexall, Owner Jason Tewell has a tasty best-seller in Abdallah Chocolates, gourmet candies from Minnesota. “They have wonderful sea salt caramels and things like that,” he explained. Also popular are Hobo leather purses for women. “They’re made of high-quality leather and we have a big cult following for those. People come from all over to buy them.” Additionally, he noted that the store has changed a lot in its gift merchandise over the last year. “We’ve gone with more local artists, things like that.” All ages shop at his 3,000-square-foot store. “With a full-service pharmacy we get lots of traffic from that.”

A large variety of merchandise at all three catego-