PoS businesses readjust to new normal

Business is back in in full swing in the nation’s capital on Tuesday as retailers in Port of Spain embrace their customers after a three-month hiatus due to covid19 restrictions. Most business owners have enforced the government-recommended safety regulations and customers, it would seem, are finally settling in to the new normal.

On Monday it was reported that business owners expressed some difficulty in getting customers to adhere to the new rules, with customers strolling into businesses in clusters and not wearing their masks. Businesses on Tuesday said they were no longer having that issue.

“Customers are adhering,” said one store clerk at a popular fashion outlet on Frederick Street. She requested anonymity. “I’ve had no problems with them.”

Like most stores in the area, there were signs at the front advising customers they could not enter without a mask on, and that they must sanitise their hands. A sanitiser pump was also placed at the entrance.

The clerk said customers were relieved the store was finally reopened.

“They were glad to see us. Glad we were safe, and we were glad to see them too.”

She said business on Monday and Tuesday was good and she was relieved to be back out to work.

“I’m glad to come back. It doesn’t matter what little it is, when fortnight comes, we are getting paid so we’re very happy.”

She said she and her team were very fortunate to be back to work as so many others had lost their jobs during the pandemic.

Another salesclerk at a nearby fashion outlet said it felt good to be back out in the real world again.

“We just have to continue to practice all the procedures that the government implemented.”

She said customers have been trickling in slowly but business was coming along. She was also hopeful for good business moving forward.

She said her team had not experienced any difficulty with customers adhering to the rules.

“The signs are up. They see it and they oblige.”

Popular textile outlet Mode Alive on Frederick street was also abuzz with music and browsing customers.

A salesclerk, who wished to remain anonymous, said the business was “running better than expected.” She said, on Monday, the company's Valsayn location had a large influx of customers who had been patiently waiting for its reopening.

A wash basin was placed on the outside of the store for customers to wash their hands before entering and signs were plastered on the windows that read “No mask, no service. Social distancing in full effect. Entry will be denied if flu symptoms are exhibited.”

The salesclerk said, so far, customers have been adhering to the rules.

“I think people realise it’s for their own good, so they are listening.”

President of the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association, Gregory Aboud could not be reached for comment.