Welcome to the May edition of Fish Insights, where we’re finally starting to talk about everyone’s favorite four-letter word: OPEN. From restaurants and retail to beauty salons and home renovation projects, it’s looking like life is getting back to some semblance of normal, albeit a new normal. (We’re still under lockdown here in Northern Virginia, but I’m super happy for the rest of you. ????)
Restaurants & Hospitality
- The headline says it all: “The Inn at Little Washington Thinks Mannequins Will Make Social Distancing Less Awkward.” ????
- Next time you dine out, your waiter very likely may be wearing a face mask.
- Indianapolis is closing down streets to allow for more dining al fresco and social distancing.
Fitness, Health, & Wellness
- WSJ reports that safety protocols for gyms and fitness centers are set at the state and local level, “creating a patchwork of regulations and uncertainty.” So brands are taking things into their own hands.
- Epidemiologists say the lack of social distancing and “heavy breathing” make fitness studios extremely risky, so we may see more gym-goers wearing masks.
- As stay-at-home orders are lifted and people venture back out into the real world, many are expected to experience fear and anxiety. Experts weighed in on how to deal with it.
Home Services
- Coronavirus put a half to a lot of things, but not home renovation projects.
- NPR answers all our burning questions as we head into summer, like will it be safe to swim in pools and can mosquitoes transfer the virus?
- The Washington Post says, yes, you should keep planning that indoor renovation project. Signing the contract now means you’ll be at the top of the list when things improve.
Retail
- Malls are reopening, but consumers aren’t rushing to return to shopping. Barron’s reported data from eight malls across several states — and the average decline in foot traffic was 75% YOY.
- Retailers succeeding at meeting the omnichannel needs of consumers — like Target and The Home Depot — sent stocks soaring. Here’s what experts say that could mean for the market.
- National retailers paid only 58% of their billed rent in April, according to TheRealDeal. That’s compared to 96% in 2019.
Beauty
- If you’ve been wondering what it would be like to get a manicure once nail salons reopened, here’s your answer.
- A salon owner in Baton Rouge got creative, opening an outdoor hair salon to help customers feel safer.
- Spas are preparing to offer facials again in the age of coronavirus. Here’s what to expect, according to a celebrity aesthetician.
As always, we’d love to hear what you think about Fish Insights. Feel free to shoot me an email at adavidson@fish-consulting.com if you love it or have ideas for how we can improve it.
