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The new normal may be anything but

Linda Popky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Maybe we've hit bottom. Three months into the COVID-19 lockdown, it appears that mitigation measures have "flattened the curve." Measures are being taken to reopen the economy on some level in just about every state in America. How far and how fast this will proceed remains to be seen. A common refrain is that we are trying to "get back to normal." There’s only one problem. Those days are gone — if not forever, for a very, very long time.

Airport concessions in crisis as coronavirus takes toll on air travel

Matt Falcus Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

Victims of the coronavirus outbreak and its effect on air travel include the thousands of airport concessions across the country, and indeed the world, that have been forced to endure closure and laying off employees or, if still open, next to minimal sales. Now, with airports and airlines receiving funds to help them through these difficult times, airport concessions are also calling on the government to recognize their plight and provide relief before many are forced out of business.

Do PepsiCo’s new direct-to-consumer websites show a new future for…

Bambi Majumdar Food & Beverage

PepsiCo's new direct-to-consumer sites could mark a significant turning point for the retail grocery industry. The corporation studied the increased demand for products amid the coronavirus pandemic and witnessed shoppers’ frustrations with empty aisles in supermarkets and other grocery stores. In announcing the launch of two new websites, PantryShop.com and Snacks.com, the company said that it wishes to offer shoppers easy and fast access to products in these uncertain times.

Coronavirus restrictions are easing, but cautionary measures should not

Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

People are eager to get back to their normal routines. Businesses are preparing for post-pandemic travel. Governments have begun easing coronavirus restrictions. Do you see the light at the end of the tunnel already? Possibly, but the pandemic is not over yet. So, please remain cautious even as stay-at-home restrictions are lifted.

The home appliances market has shifted thanks to COVID-19

Bambi Majumdar Retail

COVID-19's impact on businesses has been devastating, but for retailers and manufacturers who can scan consumer trends and pivot, things may not be so bad in the days to come. For one, industry reports show that the pandemic is driving the sale of all kinds of small appliances. Most of these purchases are for cooking and cleaning, including products that will allow people to lead a healthy lifestyle, stay motivated, and practice social distancing.

The new rules for working with influencers in the age of COVID-19

Lisa Mulcahy Marketing

As a digital/social media marketer, you know the power and value of having strong influencers tout the benefits of your brand. In this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, though, the way you work with and position influencers for your audience has to be appropriate and strategically wise. Consumers are focused on issues of survival these days, not as much about how a celebrity is promoting a product. Consumers still want influencer connection, though.

Milk: Does it do what we think it does?

Amanda Ghosh Medical & Allied Healthcare

Most of us grew up hearing, "drink your milk; it's good for your bones." But is it? Let's look at what the research is saying about milk. A meta-analysis of cohort studies on milk consumption and hip fracture published in the Journal of Bone Mineral Research found that there is no association between milk consumption and hip fracture risk in adult women and possibly men. A meta-analysis assesses the results of many research studies to conclude a research question. So, the results of this study were not merely the results of one study, but the results of several studies.

Infographic: How to survive a layoff or furlough during the COVID-19 pandemic

Brian Wallace Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Becoming unemployed due to a layoff or furlough can be an unsettling event that can cause a wide range of emotions. Understanding your options and making the right financial decisions during this period of time can help you successfully navigate through this challenging period in your life. This infographic outlines both the prevalence of layoffs as well as how to apply for unemployment benefits and eventually get back to work.

US payrolls plunge by 20.5 million jobs; unemployment climbs to 14.7%

Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Attempts to contain COVID-19 led the U.S. economy to shed 20.5 million nonfarm jobs in April versus March's employment loss of 701,000. April's unemployment rate spiked to 14.7% from 4.4% in March. In April, job losses hit all sectors, notably hospitality and leisure payrolls. "Today's report is more than ten-fold worse than the previous all-time high of 1.95 million job losses in September 1945,” Andrew Stettner, senior fellow at The Century Foundation, said in a statement.

5 key changes that will make your business more resilient

Victoria Fann Business Management, Services & Risk Management

During the pandemic, the businesses that have been hit the hardest were nonessential businesses dependent on physical customer contact. This has forced many of these businesses to take a good hard look at their business model. Before, they may have been vulnerable to a natural disaster, but few ever expected that a pandemic would forcefully close their doors. What's being discovered is that it’s become necessary to let go of many of the old ways of doing things and even pivot when necessary, which may mean that a business may resemble nothing of its former self. So, what does that look like?

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