When the state was shut down in March 2020 in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the retail sector was hit particularly hard. Though essential businesses like supermarkets and hardware stores were allowed to remain open—as well as businesses in a handful of other retail categories, including clothing and shoe stores—the restaurants, gyms
Retail: Intact but not unscathed
The pandemic didn’t crush the retail market, but it did accelerate worrisome trends that were already underway.
