Key Takeaways:

• Credit cards aren’t going away. They might get an upgrade.
• Retailers of the future need to be as tech-savvy as they are attuned to consumer patterns.
• “Brick and Mortar” won’t go away, they will evolve.

I try to avoid going into Shopping Centers. Even wearing a mask, for most things, it is just much more comfortable to order online or arrange a curbside pick-up, than waiting in lines. Even my Mom is asking about ordering on Amazon.

I don’t think brick and mortar will go entirely away. Still, indeed, you’ll see different footprints in particular retailers, and online becomes a more significant part and a bigger play in all of our lives.

While it’s unclear whether that same momentum towards more online will continue, or what the end-game is for so many retailers, I think the real test is going to be what does the fall season will look like when many more people do go back to work.

As restaurants reopen, certain locations are operating a hybrid model, with some dine-in business combined with curbside pick-up, which may be the new normal for many restaurants as they look to cater to both regular clientele and those that want to continue getting takeout. I’m sure most of us are looking forward to enjoying a meal in a restaurant. Again though, I’m just not as comfortable with the idea yet with all the handling of the food, the closed quarters, and not being able to wear masks. This, too, will be interesting.

We are starting to get haircuts and getting appointments with our Dentists and Doctors: these acts are important to us individually. But for those providing these services, it’s their livelihood, and they employ others and pay rent in buildings. I have read articles about Mall owners contemplating buying the big retailers so that they won’t close up. Companies like Amazon are looking at how to expand their footprint. Mall owners are doing condo conversions of their massive real-estate footprint. Contactless credit cards are going to become an even greater use in the future.

But somethings will always require a visit while Scobey’s is now offering a new service called Voila: an online grocery delivery service that will complete orders at an automated fulfilment center. The warehouse features robots that assemble orders, while employees pack bags and then deliver them to customers. The skill-sets and what all types of businesses are going to require going forward is exciting.

But I will still need to go pick up my Lobsters in person at a place like Scobey’s: