CLEVELAND — Amazon’s Prime Day was cancelled this year. And we didn't see many President’s or Memorial Day sales either. Black Friday’s in-store insanity could also be in jeopardy.
While retail sales were up 7.5%, according to the Commerce Department, research firm AllianceBernstein says foot traffic to stores decreased by 43% during the week ending last Wednesday.
But RetailMeNot is trying to change that. The company, which finds coupons and alerts shoppers to deals, is holding the "Rebound with RetailMeNot Mega Savings Event."
Sara Skirboll, Shopping & Trends expert for the company says, “We're trying to help shoppers save money. And then, also help retailers really rebounding get back on their feet. Https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/author/saraskirboll
The 4-day event, which starts Thursday, is offering deals from at least 100 retailers, in categories that are typically not on sale in the summer. You can also get up 20% percent cash back on some purchases.
Skirboll says, “Think electronics. Think cosmetics. Think fashion. Think everything in between, from camping supplies, to things for your car.”
And for those who don't shop online, malls are pulling out all the stops to lure in customers while keeping them safe, like at Legacy Village in Lyndhurst.
Susan Windle, the General Manager at Legacy Village says, "It's become pretty clear that people are more comfortable being outside. So we're really trying to do things to encourage people to come and spend the time outside of their homes, outside at Legacy Village, with the hope that while they're there they'll visit our retailers, they'll visit our restaurants.”
In addition to installing sanitizing stations, they've started something called DORA or Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, where you can take cocktails from any restaurant and walk around the Village.
They've also added outdoor seating and parking.
The reason for this update is “so people can pull right up, they're marked, and it makes it really easy for people to place an order online and then just pull up and they'll bring it right out to your car," Windle says.
All of this coming just in time to put money in people's pockets, in case the rising COVID cases send our economy back in reverse.
More from Danielle Serino:
- A common problem many Ohioans face when filing for unemployment benefits
- Time is running out to file your taxes
- New ICE mandates on education may lead to the deportation of many foreign students this fall
- Travel companies making it difficult to get refunds on cancelled vacations
- Heat wave expected to blast Northeast Ohio this week
- Hackers posting ISIS flags on Facebook accounts