Digital marketing will counter Covid 19 pandemic. Covid 19 outbreak has caused negative impact on retail businesses, companies’ closures, job losses and weakening the economy. Retail usually serves thousands of customers with different needs and wants daily. During Covid 19 retail stores minimize the number of customers in stores, maintain social distance, adhere to curfew times. Nature of Covid 19 brings lot of instability in retail industry.
Covid 19 impact on retail
Retail usually generates lot of turnover from the amount (foot traffic) of customer that come through the doors. Hence high foot traffic translates to sales in retail store.
Unfortunately Covid 19 rules and regulations compel stores to minimize the number of customers in the store. Low number of customers will affect turnover in the store. And if there happens to be a Covid case in a store it should close, have all employees tested for the virus and get them to quarantine if necessary.
Closing of retail stores
Closing of retail stores affects retail businesses on many levels. It can affects stores profitability, longevity, employees’ jobs and economy. While Covid 19 is causing lot of trouble in retail. There is an innovation (digital marketing) that can be used in order to prevent the trouble.
Need for digital marketing
Digital marketing is a form of marketing which businesses use to reach out to customers through social media platforms. Businesses advertise their goods and services on Facebook. It is a good platform for customers and stores to communicate. Its cost effective and convenient.
While some retail companies couldn’t survive during the pandemic. Some retail companies used/are using digital marketing to market/sell their goods and services to customers digitally/online.
Recover and prosper through digital marketing
Seemingly digital marketing is a good tool to be used for business. As customers are also skeptical about going to stores. Using digital marketing will enable business to recover and prosper.
About the Author
My name is Zwelibanzi Magobolo. Currently an intern at international institute of digital marketing. Completed matric in 2007 as a commerce learner. Studied through Unisa (University of South Africa) and completed, higher certificate in economic management sciences and program in marketing management. Still studying through Unisa (Bcom degree in marketing management).
Worked in retail since 2010 – 2021. Been a branch manager in retail since 2014. Worked for the following retail businesses as a branch manager; Footgear (pty) ltd, Cash crusader (pty) ltd and currently working for Lewis group furnishers.