Retailer Bob’s Discount Furniture is going beyond government guidelines for its comprehensive Covid-19 re-opening strategy.
The home furnishings retail, which is based in Manchester, Connecticut first opened for business in 1991 and in recent years, has doubled its store count to 128. Along with expansion in California and Nevada, the company plans to open new stores in Arizona, Ohio and Michigan later this year.
“We began closing our first stores in Philadelphia on 15 March,” Roger Dunlap, Senior VP of Sales and Operations for Bob’s Discount Furniture, told Chain Store Age. “We closely followed the guidelines of states and municipalities, and we listened to our customers and store associates, as well.”
“Before we started reopening stores, we realized we were operating in a whole new world,” said Dunlap. “The mind-set of customers and associates had changed. Naturally, they had some concerns about coming back.”
