The onset of the coronavius pandemic triggered a record 8.7% slump sales at U.S. retailers in March as large swaths of the economy shut down — and there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.
Sales fell for the second month in a row in what’s likely to be a prolonged period of agony for an industry that still relies heavily on foot traffic and customers bunched together when they shop.
It’s unclear when states will allow stores to fully reopen, and even then, there’s no guarantee Americans will return to them in great numbers. Many customers, particularly older ones more vulnerable to the virus, are likely to continue practicing social distancing.
