• Retail Will Look Different After Pandemic: Chamber CEO

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    Retail Will Look Different After Pandemic: Chamber CEO

    Saint John, NB, Canada / Country 94

    The CEO of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce says she expect to see a lot of innovation come out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Sheri Somerville said consumer confidence has been shaken by the pandemic and businesses will have to respond to that.

    “I think after this, we might see a lot of curbside retail, I think that’s what we’re going to see in the early days as people safely get their physical distancing at the retail outlets up and running,” said Somerville.

    Some businesses are also turning to online as they look for new ways to do things, she said.

    While many businesses have been forced to close during the pandemic, others like grocery stores and convenience stores remain open.

    Many have taken steps to protect employees and customers like installing Plexiglass barriers and incorporating physical distancing.

    Somerville said she expects many of those safety measures will stick around even after the pandemic.

    “Consumer confidence is going to be key. People have to know and trust that they’re going to be safe when they’re going out. Life is going to be a little bit different for us all,” she said.

    “Until we get a vaccine for this, we just have to recognize that our only protection against the reoccurrence of infection is to really take what the chief medical officer says seriously and protect our own health and respect the guidelines that the government puts out.”

    https://www.country94.ca/2020/05/01/retail-will-look-different-after-pandemic-chamber-ceo/

  • Business Truth & Reconciliation Business Truth & Reconciliation

    The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce is taking proactive steps to promote reconciliation and respect for Indigenous rights within the corporate sector. In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 92, the Chamber urges its members to embrace the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a guiding framework. This entails a commitment to meaningful consultation, fostering respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before embarking on economic projects. Moreover, the Chamber advocates for equitable access to employment, training, and educational opportunities for Indigenous communities, ensuring they reap sustainable benefits from economic development initiatives.

     

    Recognizing the importance of education, the Chamber encourages businesses to provide comprehensive training for management and staff on the history of Indigenous peoples, including the legacy of residential schools, Indigenous rights, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. Emphasizing intercultural competency, conflict resolution, and anti-racism, these efforts aim to foster a more inclusive and harmonious corporate environment rooted in mutual understanding and respect.

    Learn more click here