NRF launches online information center for reopening stores

The National Retail Federation is offering detailed guidance for retailers as they start to reopen their stores. 

The NRF’s new “Operation Open Doors – Path to Reopen Retail” is an online solution center that provides operational guidelines and considerations for safe opening of stores after the COVID-19 health crisis. The Operation prioritizes four functional areas for America's retail sector: health and safety; people and personnel; logistics and supply chain; and litigation and liability.  The resources will be available to the public for a limited time before they become members-only resources.

“As retail businesses open to employees and customers, this effort will provide operational guidelines and considerations developed with input from hundreds of retail industry leaders convened by NRF,” NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay stated in a letter announcing the program to the President, key administration officials and elected leaders. “Reopening the retail sector and putting our economy back on track will require a gradual, phased-in approach.

Shay added that consistent guidelines across all levels of government — without overburdensome regulatory schemes — are critical. 

“As a community, retailers are preparing for new processes, consumer behaviors and legal requirements or restrictions, where there was once no playbook,” he said. “Our country must not allow a lack of resources, regulations that are not fit-for-purpose, and the fear of litigation to delay efforts to return to work and live safely and sustainably."