The document summarizes the findings of a survey of 84 retailers from April 27-29, 2020 on the impact of COVID-19. Some key findings include: 1) While April sales declined, retailers have been resilient and optimistic with 55% reporting higher business optimism; 2) 70% of retailers reported above-plan eCommerce revenues, though apparel lagged; 3) Retailers transitioned customers from stores to online, improving traffic and justifying larger marketing spend. Even as stores reopen, most new online shoppers are expected to stay digital. Common reopening plans for stores included protective equipment for employees and sanitizing spaces.

1. 1
The Impact of COVID-19 on Retail and
eCommerce: Survey 4
Results from April 27-29, 2020

2. CommerceNext Research Methodology
2
▫ Collected April 27-29, 2020
▫ 84 respondents
Source: CommerceNext COVID-19 Survey, April 27-29, 2020

3. Summary of findings
▫ In spite of April being the first full month of social distancing, retailers have been surprisingly
resilient and optimistic
▫ The majority of retailers have reduced headcount or cut salaries, and the numbers continue to
increase with every CommerceNext survey; however, 55% of retailers also say their business
optimism is higher than in the prior week
▫ Seventy percent of retailers in this survey said their eCommerce revenues were above plan,
though apparel continues to lag
▫ Retailers continue to transition customers from stores to the web, leading to improved traffic,
which in turn justifies larger marketing spend
▫ Even as stores reopen, eCommerce executives believe that most new shoppers will stay in the
online channel; the four things that most retailers plan to do for stores include providing PPE for
employees, sanitizing spaces, adding hand sanitizer and limiting the number of people in stores
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4. Sales are gradually improving
4
Source: CommerceNext COVID-19 Survey, April 27-29, 2020

5. Apparel retailers have done less well than
the industry but eCommerce is a bright spot
5
Source: CommerceNext COVID-19 Survey, April 27-29, 2020

6. The transition from stores to web has also helped
but likely won’t offset sales decline altogether
6
Source: CommerceNext COVID-19 Survey, April 27-29, 2020

7. Traffic declines have stabilized
7
Source: CommerceNext COVID-19 Survey, April 27-29, 2020

8. Media spending is coming back as well
8
Source: CommerceNext COVID-19 Survey, April 27-29, 2020

9. Retailers believe that most new eCommerce
shoppers will stay in the channel
9
Source: CommerceNext COVID-19 Survey, April 27-29, 2020

10. eCommerce will be an essential form of
sales; stores will adapt to infection concerns
10
Source: CommerceNext COVID-19 Survey, April 27-29, 2020

11. Store re-opening protocols fall into
different buckets
11
Source: CommerceNext COVID-19 Survey, April 27-29, 2020

12. Simon Malls is integrating this messaging
12
Source: CommerceNext COVID-19 Survey, April 27-29, 2020

13. Optimism is higher but the recovery
period looks long
13
Source: CommerceNext COVID-19 Survey, April 27-29, 2020
Health, wellness (incl CBD)
Smaller merchants

14. RIFs and salary cuts continue to grow
14
Source: CommerceNext COVID-19 Survey, April 27-29, 2020

15. Most retailers say they are still in the process of developing
the criteria for reopening stores: few have defined plans
15Source: McKinsey COVID-19 retail recovery survey - April 6-8, 98 Retail Executives

16. Retailers are considering a range of different
measures to promote customer and employee safety
16Source: McKinsey COVID-19 retail recovery survey - April 6-8, 98 Retail Executives

17. Many retailers expect to modify returns policies and handling
processes to improve customer convenience and safety
17Source: McKinsey COVID-19 retail recovery survey - April 6-8, 98 Retail Executives

18. Less than 1 in 5 Digital Teams are
Prepared to Support Store Re-Openings
18Source: April 29 CommerceNext Webinar Attendees

19. Dollar Tree Email Example
19

20. Simon Property - Web and Facebook
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21. Best Buy CEO Email and Video
21

22. commercenext.com I #CNWebinars
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commercenext.com/covid/

23. A Few Ways to Help
23
The Restaurant Workers’
Community Foundation Relief Fund
https://www.restaurantworkerscf.org/ https://leeinitiative.org/
Open Source COVID19 Medical
Supplies
https://bit.ly/covidopensource
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24. Thanks!
Any questions?
founders@commercenext.com