PPB June 2020

I n mid-March, stay-at-home orders were issued across the U.S. and Canada to help slow the spread of coronavirus. According to The New York Times , 316 million Americans (95 percent of the population) were isolated by the orders. To maintain social distancing, lawmakers ordered bars and restaurants to close dine-in areas, and all but nonessential businesses were closed. Residents in many states were mandated to stay home except for essential activities, such as to shop for groceries or pick up medication. Thirty million Americans filed initial unemployment claims by May 1, and according to NPR, coronavirus has killed more Americans than those who died in the VietnamWar. With the country shut down, sales within the promotional products industry slowed along with most other industries. As cancelled events led to cancelled orders, companies saw sales fall dramatically, by 70 to 90 percent by April 1, in some cases. Although COVID-19 has profoundly impacted business, it also highlighted the flexibility and responsiveness of the promotional products industry. Many industry companies quickly restructured their businesses to supply needed personal protective equipment to the medical community and general public alike. After weeks of shutdown, at least some counties in more than a dozen states began a tiered reopening of businesses by late April and May with some states delaying until June. Get Ready For A Comeback Back To Work Safely by Kristina Valdez While several states began reopening restaurants, parks and movie theaters in late April, June remains the tentative expiration for many stay-at-home orders. As more consumers emerge from their homes and more stores, salons and venues reopen, they will look to promotional products to protect customers and promote their business. 38 | JUNE 2020 | GROW