The first lockdown in Trinidad and Tobago took place in March 2020, and it has been over a year since then. Local retailers are the hardest hit since they pay high commercial rent but had little or no revenue for several months due to the outbreak. While there appears to be a global shortage of devices such as laptops and tables throughout much of 2020, individuals were able to find some bargains by purchasing online. But what does this mean for local merchants?
Health and safety, supply chain management, labour force salaries, severe cash flow difficulties, and maintaining brand visibility and customer loyalty are all short-term issues for retailers and brands.
For years, we’ve talked about how the customer experience has evolved beyond traditional in-store encounters to every touchpoint, including phone, email, social media distribution, and after-sales service. COVID-19 provided a platform for businesses to adapt in order to capitalize on the digital realm. Unfortunately, the infrastructure in Trinidad and Tobago’s small islands did not allow for a smooth changeover, resulting in enormous economic losses for many. But was this really the case for all?
Resellers like PC Clinic speak of not only weathering the storm but also experiencing tremendous sales growth as a result of high demand for devices and software, but they also admit that it wasn’t without its challenges. Foreign exchange shortages caused by falling oil prices made it difficult for the owner to maintain payments to distributors and, sadly, cost him 90% of their credit facilities in 2021, resulting in the loss of many deals. “So far, 2021 sales figures have been reduced by more than 50% when compared to 2020. We hope that something will change in the coming months with the reopening of the borders, and that the entire country will be able to open up again, and that our last quarter sales will compensate for the decrease in sales that we are experiencing.’ Shazam Mohammed, the owner, says.
The Wizz Computers, which only recently opened a new branch in the eve of the pandemic in December 2019, and has 7 stores nationwide, enjoys providing a personal touch to each sale, according to Marketing Manager Ryan Ramkissoon. ‘Managing during this pandemic has been extremely difficult due to the fact that we now have a state of emergency and additional lockdown measures in place, so we attempted to develop our online sales platform as well as curbside pickup to still try to add a personal touch by developing our social media platforms.”
The assistance of distributors would be greatly appreciated by all retailers who are dealing with cash flow issues, difficulty in obtaining foreign currency, and meeting the needs of their end customers. During these difficult times, retailers advocate for the development of stronger relationships.
Ryan Ramkissoon is a firm believer that, while the pandemic caused havoc, customers quickly adapted to the new way of doing business, stating, “Consumers prefer shopping online for ease alone. You can order a product, confirm payment, and track its shipping status from the comfort of your own home or in the palm of your hand in a matter of minutes.”
However, Mohammed offered a different perspective from his store in the southern part of the island “ironically, we see that customers are still hesitant to shop online locally, the reason for that, we are still yet to comprehend in totality. However, since we implemented our website services about 5 years ago, we did notice that clients were researching the products before they come in and purchase which resulted in quicker sales completions.”
Recognizing that remote working and homeschooling are difficult, and while some people quickly adapted, others struggled with online and curbside shopping, citing that they prefer to physically go into a store and make a purchase;
Mohammed believes “unless we can change that mindset of more people, then online shopping locally can be done effectively, resulting in us not needing a physical front, which will help to cut some of our overhead costs.”
“This taught us how to move with changing times and that technology does not wait on anyone, everything moves at a pace where you must be prepared for any event,” Ramkissoon concluded.
To reach these merchants and shop online locally in Trinidad and Tobago follow the links below:
The Wizz Computers Ltd. – A leading supplier of computer hardware and accessories
Wizz Computers Ltd | (thewizzcomputers.com) Email: sales@wizztt.com
PC Clinic Limited – A full-service computer supplies and services company
http://www.pcclinicTT.com/ Email: sales@pcclinictt.com
