Rosy Retailers: How Cashed-Up Retailers Should Make the Most of the Pandemic

Posted by naomi on
Pandemic-Through-Rose-Coloured-Glasses

Unfortunately, this post is not for every retailer. We understand times have been tough in the retail industry for quite a while. Being in commercial construction, where we build retail stores for a living, Australian shopfitters know all too well that many retailers are doing it tough. Many of us are too.

Likewise, we are aware that there are retail stores and chains out there who have been skillfully staying ahead of the evolving retail space, and have been thriving.

Firstly – Congratulations 🙂 Secondly –

Thriving retailers; now is your time to shine!

Now is the time to renovate, remodel, rebrand. While sales are down, now is the time to undertake a shop fitout. Renovate during the pandemic. Now is the time when business interruption is already at a maximum. Therefore, a 3-4 week downtime of business closure to renovate will not have nearly as great an impact as usual. Now, in the midst of the pandemic, is the time a shop fitout would support many local small businesses and trades who are struggling during the Coronavirus crisis.

Business Interruption is already at an all time maximum. Renovate during the pandemic.


Seriously – think about it. With the Covid-19 pandemic your business has;

• Decreased foot traffic
• Staff reduction
• Less overheads
• Reduced sales
• Finance rates at an all-time low (subject to lender and lending criteria)

By renovating during the pandemic you could be supporting some of the following Australian small businesses;

• Shopfitters
• Electricians
• Glaziers
• Plasterers
• Painters
• Plumbers
• Carpenters
• Tilers
• Upholsterers
• Retail designers
• Lighting suppliers
• Equipment hirers
• Flooring suppliers
• Board manufacturers

Cashed up retailers, it’s time to put on those shiny, rose coloured glasses and sparkle.

Take a fresh new look at the pandemic in a different shade of light. Things are tough. Things may never be what they were before Covid-19. But if we work together and all help one another we can, and we will, get through this and make it to the other side. Let’s do this!

If this has inspired you to fitout your store, there are hundreds of small to medium business shopfitters and retail designers nationally to help get you started. The Australian Shopfitting association ASOFIA provides a list of association shopfitting company members, or feel free to Google away to support a business locally to you.

AAFS Shopfitting are based in Melbourne and are licenced and accredited to undertake fitouts nationally. Despite many state borders closing, our business is well set up in each state and territory across Australia, so interstate travel would not be required. We have loyal sub trades and projects teams across the country to assist with your project, no matter where your store is located (check out our project portfolio).

Contact AAFS Shopfitting on 03 5943 0581 to discuss how to get the ball rolling, provide you with contacts of some fantastic local retail designers we’ve worked with, or to tender your upcoming project, if you’re already at that stage.

Stay safe everyone and let’s take care of each other xx

AAFS Shopfitting