A GROWING number of local retail businesses have decided to cut trading hours and/or close their doors in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Local stores across the region, along with major Australian retailers – including Jeans West, Strandbags, Autograph and Rockmans – situated in local shopping centres, have temporarily shut for the health and safety of all shoppers, while others remain open with strict protocols in place.
A local retail owner, who spoke to the Murray Pioneer on the condition of anonymity, said their business will remain open until “the government decides to shut everything down”.
“I would like to stay open because I love my store and love seeing customers come in,” they said.
“Unfortunately, business has slowed down a lot, and because of this I have cut back my hours drastically.
“I’m lucky we have social media where I can promote my business and connect with customers but it’s not the same as coming in to the store and purchasing items.”
The retail owner said protocols have been set in place for their store.
“I only allow a few people in at once – but lately I haven’t had any customers – customers have to keep their social distancing and I wipe down the counter after I serve each customer,” they said.
“I’m not scared of having the store open or being around people because I know people in the Riverland are quite responsible and I would hope that if anyone was sick they’d stay home.”
The retail owner said they hope their store “keeps up normality”.
“If I close my store, it wouldn’t be right,” they said.
“I’ve already had to let some of my staff go due to the crisis and it was terrible.
“The Riverland is a beautiful place with beautiful stores and I hope that all business owners can stop treading water soon and everything can go back to normal.
“People need their jobs and people need stores.
“Let’s hope this nightmare is over soon.”