Finally. Some positive predictions for Brick and Mortar in 2021

Julissa from Delightree here, with some good news for brick-and-mortar shops in 2021. There are many opinions on how the economy will shape up for small-business owners in the new year, and few of them speak to the storefronts that took the hardest hit.

No one is more invested in a revamped economy than the businesses that lost ground during the pandemic. While some industries boomed, others suffered immensely.

The pandemic winners were largely digital: video conferencing apps and food-delivery services. The losers were the businesses people had to visit in person, including retail stores, spas, and gyms.

If you cannot fully move your business online because of what you sell or how you serve customers, and you are unsure of what to expect in the new year, this is your category. Amid the swarm of New Year articles about remote lifestyles and booming tech valuations stands the small-business owner, largely ignored.

Let us put a smile on those faces. Here is why brick-and-mortar has real reasons for optimism this year.

1) Strong real estate opportunities, early 2021

Whether you rent or own the property where your store operates, expect strong value when it comes to buying or leasing commercial space in early 2021. A major theme in the news cycle right now is the move of companies and workers out of big cities because of pandemic restrictions, leaving quality real estate in expensive markets sitting empty.

That means brick-and-mortar owners have a chance to secure quality real estate at a lower price. The low cost of space is something every entrepreneur should take advantage of at the start of the year.

2) A revamp of the in-store shopping experience, early to mid 2021

The truth is that online shopping and food delivery were already growing fast before the pandemic. Online taking a larger share of the consumer market was always coming. That shift, combined with the pandemic, will push a full reinvention of the in-store experience in 2021.

I expect brick-and-mortar shops to integrate more closely with technology and to digitize many parts of their operations to keep up. More owners will see the value of streamlining operations as a way to keep staff happy and attentive with customers. Some large retailers are already adding in-store kiosks that let shoppers browse and order online while standing in the store.

Using technology to make the in-store experience more appealing is a smart move, and I expect more businesses to follow suit.

3) An influx of shoppers, mid to late 2021

A vaccine has finally arrived and is being distributed as we speak. Even once the virus is behind us, some major employers have decided to keep corporate work remote for good.

What does that mean for your business? More work flexibility means working professionals will have more time to visit their favorite stores for groceries, baked goods, or swimming lessons.

The professionals who shop, book spa visits, and grab quick bites will be experiencing a new normal and a newfound freedom from the office. I expect that to bring an influx of shoppers to your store after more than a year of being stuck inside.