The global coronavirus maelstrom

Restrictions were tightened significantly on 31 March after numerous retailers had already closed their stores in the first half of the month. Supermarkets remain open, as are large shopping malls, some of which contain a number of grocery stores.
The Petbarn pet store chain has reported via its social media channels that all its outlets have opened. Its opening times have been shortened slightly, however, to give employees the chance to replenish the stock. The Pet City chain has reported the same.

The leading Baltic pet retailer, the Kika Group, provided PET worldwide with the following comment on the impact of Covid-19 on the pet industry:
"Today, the challenge is not only to stay in retail and compete with other e-commerce platforms, but also to optimise staffing. We need to ensure our customers maximum availability of these products both in physical stores and on online trading platforms in Lithuania and Estonia. Therefore, the main task of the company today remains to ensure the continuous and smooth supply of essential goods to its customers, as well as to provide a safe working environment for its staff and to manage customer flows in stores.
Kika's pet goods and services network in Lithuania and Estonia also monitors changes in the behaviour of its customers during the coronavirus situation. The best selling goods that keep the leading position are dry dog and cat food, canned food, treats and cat litter. People buy these goods in larger quantities. By capturing sales, we have also noticed the decline in sales of non-essential entertainment items such as leashes, beds, toys or accessories."

The border with the USA was closed early, and travel restrictions have been in place for people displaying coronavirus symptoms since 30 March. Canadian citizens have been urged to remain at home, minimise contact with other people and practise social distancing. In some provinces, hotels have been added to the list of essential services so that they can remain open.
With the exception of supermarkets, pharmacies and pet stores, retail businesses have closed. As of 5 April, customers in Ontario were not allowed to enter pet speciality retail locations. The pet retail chain Global Pet Foods, therefore, is offering curb-side pick-up only at all Ontario stores. Pet store operators that remain open advise on their websites that the number of customers permitted in the store at any one time is restricted due to the coronavirus crisis. Safari Pet…