IMC Retailer Q&A

An interview with Associate Director of Earned Income

Chacho Herman, The San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego, Calif.

International Market Centers (IMC): What are you doing to encourage retailers back into your brick and mortar store now that COVID restrictions are lifting?

Chacho Herman (C.H.): At the top of the list is ensuring that our customers (and staff!) feel safe by having a mask wearing policy. People who visit cultural institutions like ours are more encouraged to visit and stay if they feel safe. This is why we’ll continue to ask patrons to wear a mask, and enforce the rule once they are inside. We have removed several store pedestals in our store to allow for more “distanced” shopping. We added an extra sales associate on the floor for more personal and responsive customer service.

IMC: Which business practices instituted during COVID do you intend to continue through recovery?

C.H.: As mentioned above, we will continue to implement a safe shopping environment. We have a hand sanitizing station at the store entry that all our customers are highly encouraged to use. And again, adding an extra store associate for immediate assistance for our customers for a pleasant visitor experience.

IMC: How might inventory/supply chain issues impact your holiday buying?

C.H.: I’ve got to act fast to get the merchandise I need to have a successful holiday season. There’s not time to hesitate as everyone will be in the same boat. It will be important to be sufficiently stocked with our best sellers well in advance, and to swiftly order items new to the store. It’s already happening that items I’m used to having in stock with no problem are already on back order.

An interview with E-Commerce Merchandising/Systems Coordinator Kate Botelho Sibya, and Retail Operations Manager and Buyer Laura Murphy, of The Preservation Society of Newport County, Newport, R.I.

International Market Centers (IMC): What are you doing to encourage retailers back into your brick and mortar store now that COVID

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