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COVID-19

construction and designIndustry Voicesjan/sanretailers

Sanitize & Design

by Katie Lee

— By Andrea Lisbona — Best practices for long term PPE implementation in retail design.   Prior to the pandemic, it would have been rare to consider PPE like hand sanitizer, plexiglass barriers and masks as critical elements in enhancing the customer experience in retail environments. Today, a standing hand sanitizer dispenser, for example, is the norm at a retail door; it is the first thing customers will see and use when they walk into a store, and continue to experience throughout their browsing and buying journey. It’s clear that …

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Industry Voicesjan/sanrestaurants

What “Clean” Means

by Katie Lee

— By Chris Gurreri —   How restaurants can rise to the raised expectations of what “clean” means in a post-pandemic world.   The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened everyone’s awareness of everyday actions, from breathing to touching doorknobs. One area that deeply affects the retail and restaurant industry is the general public’s increased expectation of cleanliness in public spaces. Restaurants from the fast-food industry to local cafes have put up signs demonstrating their commitment to health, detailing their mask requirements, social distancing requests and cleaning procedures. In this article, we’ll …

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Industry Voicesjan/san

New Standard of Safety

by Katie Lee

— By David Vigil — Embracing consumer demand for a new standard of safety and hygiene.   Retail and restaurant leaders understand the importance of customer service, but amidst the events of the past 12 months, a greater focus has been placed on safety and hygiene — especially as more consumers begin to venture out of their bubble, governors across the country begin easing restrictions, and the vaccine becomes more accessible. To rebuild confidence internally with employees, and externally with customers, facilities must establish protocols that sufficiently address pandemic-related safety …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Bloomingdale’s to Open Smaller-Footprint Bloomie’s Store in Metro Washington, D.C.

by Katie Lee

Fairfax, Va. — Bloomingdale’s plans to open its first Bloomie’s store at the Mosaic District shopping center in Fairfax on August 26. Bloomingdale’s is the latest retailer to unveil an updated store concept designed to reflect the changing wants and needs of shoppers following the COVID-19 pandemic. The new, smaller-footprint concept will span 22,000 square feet and feature an evolving mix of merchandise from top brands alongside tech-enabled stylist services and a restaurant. A standard Bloomingdale’s location spans approximately 200,000 square feet. Fresh deliveries from a mix of designers already …

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Newsrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

The Point of Sale Cloud Launches as Post-Pandemic Solution for Multi-Unit Restaurants

by Katie Lee

Cincinnati — The Point of Sale Cloud, an easy-to-use, fully integrated cloud platform for multi-unit restaurants, recently launched as a new competitive advantage for the restaurant industry. The Point of Sale Cloud allows restaurants to take control of their technology while streamlining the way restaurateurs manage all aspects of their business including customer facing transactions and back-of-the-house operations. As a response to the challenges faced by the restaurant industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Point of Sale Cloud assists restaurants in deploying their own guest service experience for dine-in, delivery …

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HVAC/RIndustry Voicesrestaurantsvendors

Free & Fair Air

by Katie Lee

— By Ramez Naguib, P.E. — Effect of air filter rating on energy consumption in restaurants during COVID-19.   This we know: COVID-19 is primarily transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets, which are then released when someone with COVID-19 sneezes, coughs or talks. Infectious droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Current data do not support long range aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2, such as seen with measles or tuberculosis. Short-range inhalation of aerosols is a …

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construction and designIndustry Voices

Invitation to Gather

by Katie Lee

— By Joe Pazdan, AIA — Open-air restaurant and music venue thrives through COVID-19.   The restaurant business is notoriously fickle, but the COVID-19 pandemic dealt death-blows to thousands of establishments across the country as they struggled to stay afloat through mandated closures, capacity limits and an overall downturn in patronage. So how did Gather GVL, a live music venue with a courtyard gathering spot bounded by restaurants in repurposed shipping containers, not only survive opening for business during the early days of the pandemic, but continue to thrive during …

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energy managementHVAC/RIndustry Voicesrestaurants

Power Trip

by Katie Lee

— By Rick Orman — Why power surges are the hidden threat to restaurant business operations.   The last decade has seen the rapid adoption of digital equipment in quick-service and full-service restaurants. It’s not uncommon to see mobile devices, fully digitalized point-of-sale (POS) systems, network-connected grills and self-service kiosks in restaurants. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this digital transformation due to the increased need to offer online ordering, contactless service and customer demand for a high-tech experience. While the use of technology has increased restaurant efficiency and helped create …

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managementNewsproperty management

Washington Prime Group Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Amid Pandemic-Related Struggles

by Katie Lee

Columbus, Ohio — Washington Prime Group, an Ohio-based owner-operator of regional malls and shopping centers, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. WPG cited insurmountable operating challenges tied to the COVID-19 pandemic as the primary catalyst behind the move. Against that backdrop, both CNBC and Reuters reported that many of the company’s tenants were unable to pay rent at various points in time over the last 16 months as public health mandates and lockdowns decimated foot traffic throughout the brick-and-mortar …

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Newsretailers

Gap’s First Quarter Sales Increase 28%, Net Sales Hit $4 Billion

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — Gap Inc., the parent company of Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta, released its first-quarter 2021 fiscal report showing net sales reached $4 billion, up 8% from 2019. Additionally, comparable sales were up 28% year-over-year and rose 13% since pre-pandemic 2019. The company showed strong increases in net sales at Old Navy and Athleta — 27% and 56% increase over 2019, respectively. There were declines in net sales at Gap Global (16%) and Banana Republic Global (29%). Old Navy’s comparable sales were up 35% year-over-year and …

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