Columbia, HBC and Bal Harbour Shops prepare for stores to reopen

Following weeks of lockdown, several malls and stores across North America are ready to open shop, as lockdown measures ease up in certain states and provinces. Meanwhile, as retail chains prepare to recapture brick-and-mortar sales, each company is putting an increase focus on sanitation and new Covid-19 safety measures.

Columbia Sportswear Company reopened 30 Columbia branded stores in ten states on Friday, May 15, bringing back more than 250 of its furloughed retail workers. The reopening follows the company’s first successful reopening in Nebraska last week, bringing Columbia’s total number of U.S. stores reopened to 31.

Steps being taken to insure safety include requiring face coverings for employees, adjusting store layouts for social distancing, and delaying the restocking of clothes tried on in fitting rooms for 24 hours.

Bal Harbour Shops announced that it will reopen on Monday, May 18, with a plan to mitigate risks posed by Covid-19 including limiting retail stores and indoor restaurant seating occupancy to 50 percent and salon occupancy to 25 percent.

The Florida-based luxury fashion centre has maintained its reputation by operating at 100 percent occupancy for several decades, while also holding a waiting list. The Shops is home to more than 100 of the most sought-after international high-fashion boutiques and brands including Chanel, Gucci, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., Salvatore Ferragamo and Valentino.

Hudson’s Bay locations across most of Canada will reopen on Tuesday, May 19, including in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia. Shoppers can expect new in-store protocols to be in place, including enhanced cleaning practices, directional signage on floors for easy navigation and physical distancing.

Stores will operate with reduced hours, from 12pm – 5pm daily, to allow for thorough cleaning, and will open an hour early every Tuesday from 11am – 12pm specifically for frontline workers, seniors and those with disabilities.

Hudson’s Bay equally announced that it will permanently close its Edmonton City Centre location in the fall. The store will reopen on May 19, and wind-down will follow in due course.

Columbia, HBC and Bal Harbour Shops prepare for stores to reopen

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