UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As Pennsylvania business owners adjust to their new normal, more changes are on the way as stay-at-home restrictions, put in place due to COVID-19, are lifted.
A webinar series from Penn State Extension, “Refining the Retail New Normal,” explores ways for business owners to adjust their retail model for comfortable and safe shopping experiences for their customers.
Organizers say this webinar series provides immediately actionable information to Pennsylvania businesses as they hone their current operations to fit the changing retail environment. Webinars in this series target farm and food businesses in the commonwealth, but also are applicable to any retail establishment. Webinars, which can be viewed at any time, include:
--“Best Practices for the Future.” This webinar looks at how retail businesses have pivoted quickly to provide essential goods and services during the crisis. This webinar also explores next steps for retail businesses thinking through the refinement of efficiencies and processes to meet changing consumer behaviors and preferences. To view, visit https://extension.psu.edu/refining-the-retail-new-normal-best-practices-for-the-future
--“Creating Safe and Clean Retail Interactions.” Participants can discover methods to get businesses ready for a safe reopening. Also discussed is how to keep customers and employees safe, and how to keep a retail establishment sanitary. The webinar can be found at https://extension.psu.edu/refining-the-retail-new-normal-creating-safe-and-clean-retail-interactions
--“The Customer Experience.” Customers may be tolerating delays and shortcomings in the current environment, but as restrictions are relaxed, will this continue? Curbside pickup, online and phone orders, and packaging and processing orders remotely may become the new normal. This webinar asks: how can businesses improve logistics, point of sale and communications to make customers feel confident, secure and comfortable with the new retail model? To view this presentation, visit https://extension.psu.edu/refining-the-retail-new-normal-the-customer-experience
--“Clean and Safe Point of Sale System Options.” This webinar is designed to help retailers assess their point of sale system to ensure it is providing the needed clean customer experience. It also includes a discussion on best practices for accepting payment in a way that is clean and simple for customers. This webinar can be found at https://extension.psu.edu/refining-the-retail-new-normal-clean-and-safe-point-of-sale-interactions