How Tobacconists Are Dealing With COVID-19

Being a tobacco retailer is hard work, but because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, it’s even more of a challenge. The majority of tobacco retailers are considered to be small businesses, a sector of the U.S. economy that has been hit particularly hard by the impacts of the coronavirus. According to a report by National Main Street Center, a nonprofit organization that works to revitalize historic commercial districts, approximately 35.7 million Americans are employed by small businesses, and if the crisis continues for several more months, millions of those businesses are facing possible permanent closures. Because tobacconists, tobacco outlets and discount tobacco stores are part of a niche market, the next few months will be especially challenging.

Retailers have had to adapt to a new playing field, with retail transforming from a marathon to a track field riddled with hurdles and a finish line that’s constantly moving. Since March, various states across the country have imposed stay-at-home orders and have temporarily shut down those businesses that are considered to be nonessential. Tobacco retailers have been forced to offer curbside services, and those that have been able to operate during the pandemic have dealt with a dramatic decrease in foot traffic as customers have heeded the warnings of government officials and health professionals who have encouraged or required them to stay at home. Unfortunately for many, COVID-19 has continued to evolve rather than become a distant memory as the weeks have passed by, and tobacco retailers are continually having to adjust their business model in order to survive.

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