With the culmination of the US Presidential race so near, retailers in the country have boarded up their stores as extra security measure in the current tense political climate.
After suffering the aftermath of protests related to George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, brands like Chanel, Dior, Tiffany, Target and Louis Vuitton are looking at protecting themselves from damage by rioting crowds.
According to Tom Buiocchi, CEO of ServiceChannel, an online platform that connects brands with local contractors, as many as 750 stores throughout the country have engaged their services to board up their windows with planks of wood, the price of which ranges from US $ 124 to US $ 31,000.
Most of these stores are located in New York, Illinois and California.
As the pandemic has raged on, retailers have already undergone periods of lull in sales and election-related vandalism would be the latest disruption to the ongoing struggle.
While large store chains are able to handle the added costs of boarding up, it is the smaller retailers and boutiques that are struggling to keep themselves safe without putting a huge dent in their pockets.
Los Angeles’ Rodeo Drive has decided to close its door to cars and pedestrian traffic until after the Election Day.
Manhattan retailers like Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue are also taking precautionary measures, with stores in the key shopping districts boarded up reflecting the anxiety amongst retailers across the nation.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
