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V O L . X X V I N O. X X V I N OV E M B E R 2 , 2 0 2 0 8 B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S N E W S F RO M A RO U N D T H E S TAT E 866.736.2804 | mainebls.com Our focus is on our local business partners. We are open for business and here to provide guidance during this difficult time. EQUIPMENT LOANS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LOANS BUSINESS EXPANSION LOANS Business Lending S O L U T I O N S L L C THE BLS DIFFERENCE Committed to Our Local Communities LOCAL Experienced Lenders LOCAL Decision Making LOCAL Loan Funding LOCAL Services With holidays closing in, retailers look to stay calm B y M a u r e e n M i l l i k e n A U G U S T A — The advice Maine retailers have for shoppers as the holiday shopping season approaches is: plan your shopping, start early, be patient and learn to get comfortable outdoors. A panel of retailers at a Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce webinar said shoppers should prepare for a different kind of retail season, including changing shopping traditions and starting to shop as early as possible. Portland City Council already agreed to allow outdoor shopping and dining to continue until Jan. 4. "In the old days, we wanted to get as many people in the store at one time as we could, and that's not the case now," said John Reny, president of Renys department stores. He said there's a big concern at the chain's 17 stores. "We want to spread them out more. When it gets closer to Christmas and we start getting crowds, are we going to start lining people up outside again?" Other panelists were Curtis Picard, CEO of the Retail Association of Maine, and Elizabeth Hebert, manager of the Augusta Day's Jewelry store. The panel was the second of the chamber's "Community Conversations about COVID-19" series and was moderated by chamber CEO Katie Doherty. On top of physical distancing limits, retailers said returns will have to be held 24 hours before they can be put back out for shoppers and supply chain slowdowns. "We need to spread the season out," Picard said. "Shop now, don't wait for November." He said the more spread-out the season is, the fewer problems there will be. But he also stressed shopping local, instead of from national online sources. "It's critically important to support Maine-based retail stores. They've been for you through this pandemic, and we want them to be there through the coming years." Prepared for the worst Both Reny and Hebert said they're hiring for the shopping season, and are even having trouble filling positions. They also said that their stores have upped online options and made other changes to adhere to guidelines and help shoppers, and they're prepared if there's a coronavirus surge and there's another shutdown. "It's totally different than when we shut down in March," Reny said. "I think now we have a real good handle on things and how to do it safely." Hebert said that jewelry stores tend to have smaller crowds, but Day's is also looking for ways to keep crowding down. She said that aside from shopping early, and spreading out shopping times, "have an idea what you're looking for, shop the website first." P H O T O / M A U R E E N M I L L I K E N B R I E F Retailers are urging shoppers to start their shopping earlier this year, and to have patience, in light of COVID-19 restrictions.

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