Retailers welcome news of curbside pickups
Surprise reopening of non-essential businesses will help to clarify rules
Ontario business owners say they’re pleased with Premier Doug Ford’s announcement Wednesday that non-essential retail stores can begin curbside pickup on Monday.
For many businesses, curbside pickup has been an ongoing source of confusion and opening up the option to all retail stores helps clear the air.
On Wednesday, Ford said the number of COVID-19 cases is heading in the right direction, but added that the government will continue to be cautious.
“Any reopening of our economy will be gradual, measured and safe,” he said. “When it comes to reopening our economy, I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
All retail stores with a street entrance can open May 11 for curbside pickup, while garden centres and nurseries — which were cleared to open Monday for curbside pickup or delivery only — can open their stores this Friday.
Hardware stores and safety supply stores can do the same on Saturday.
Albert Strotchak, who operates an antique lighting store and is chair of the Broadview Danforth BIA, welcomes the announcement. “(The) earlier the better.” Earlier this week, Ford hinted at such an announcement in the coming weeks, making Wednesday’s proclamation a pleasant surprise.
Strotchak sees it as a compromise for businesses itching to open their doors to the public.
He notes that many retailers have been confused about whether or not they were allowed to do curbside pickup since shutting down — with some making sales online and offering curbside pickup anyways.
“If there are the new rules … were they breaking rules?”
According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, they were — but most weren’t aware of it, and it wasn’t made clear until just a few weeks ago.
Ryan Mallough of the CFIB said his organization fielded call after call from business owners who couldn’t tell whether or not they were allowed to do curbside pickup during the shutdown. After a few weeks of research, Mallough said the Ontario government clarified that only certain retail businesses — pet stores and hardware stores, to name a couple — were allowed.
But many businesses continued to do pickups often with little resistance, said Mallough.
So Wednesday’s announcement clears things up and makes sales during the pandemic much easier for small businesses to achieve, he said.
Chris Bailey, who with his wife owns two toy and games stores in southern Ontario, welcomes the decision.
Bailey has been making deliveries while closed, but knows of some businesses that have done curbside pickup despite not being allowed.
It’s not just businesses that weren’t aware of the rules, but customers too, said the owner of Brighten Up, who has fielded many calls and messages asking to place orders for pickup.
Bailey said he’s glad the announcement came a little earlier than expected.
“I think the timing is good.”