For Manhattan's retail industry normal may never return

[marmar]

(Guardian UK) On a damp and humid Thursday afternoon Manhattan’s Union Square is looking sorry for itself. There’s 73,000 sq ft of empty retail space up for grabs at 44 Union Square in the now boarded up neo-Georgian landmark that was once Tammany Hall. There’s more space to rent on the opposite corner and the neighbouring thoroughfares, Broadway and Fifth Avenue, some of New York’s retail arteries.

The pandemic has hit Manhattan hard. The island is usually a shopping hub, home to flagship stores for retailers including Prada, Uniqlo, Macy’s and Nike. But the coronavirus is keeping the tourists and office workers that they rely on to justify their sky-high rents home.

Many stores have simply shut up shop. Others are offering “curbside pick-up” for online orders or limiting entrance. A sign outside cupcake shop Baked by Melissa reads: “One Customer At A Time”. No one is queuing.

Some brands and restaurants have already decided the city is just too expensive for them. Others with huge Manhattan stores, including Brooks Brothers, J Crew, JC Penney, have filed for bankruptcy. .............(more)

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/15/for-manhattans-retail-industry-normal-may-never-return

[Sherman A1]

1. It will certainly be the case in NYC, but the article really applies

everywhere. What we viewed as "normal" in the Retail Sector will never return. It was undergoing tremendous headwinds before the pandemic. Covid-19 just pushed things forward by several years.

[progree]

2. Sad that it's especially hitting downtowns everywhere

But the coronavirus is keeping the tourists and office workers that they rely on to justify their sky-high rents home.

So much effort has been spent over the decades to keep the downtown vibrant (I'm thinking Minneapolis), as opposed to boarded-up or otherwise vacant buildings everywhere, or just massive holes in the ground right in the middle of downtown. Now it seems the boarded-up / vacant look will return and become permanent.

Not just retail, but entertainment / restaurants.