In the heart of Kamloops, the impact of COVID-19 on retail stores has been a tale of resilience, adaptability, and challenges. Two contrasting stories emerge from the retail giants like Walmart to the smaller niche market suppliers like Dede, a prominent supplier of African food in the region.
Walmart, the behemoth of retail was one of the greatly affected enterprises. As COVID-19 struck, people flocked to Walmart to stock up on essentials, leading to a surge in sales. Sarah James, the store manager at Walmart Kamloops shared insights into the rollercoaster ride the store experienced. “We saw unprecedented demand for everyday items. Shelves were emptied quicker than we could stock them,” she shared. “From toilet paper to canned goods, people were preparing for the unknown, and it reflected in our sales.”
The challenges, however, weren’t just limited to increased demand. Supply chain disruptions due to COVID restrictions posed a significant hurdle for Walmart, just as it did for many businesses globally. While the store managed to keep up with demand, it wasn’t without its challenges.
On the other side of the spectrum is Dede, a local store specializing in African foods. Speaking with the owner, Kofi Makini, shed light on a different narrative. “Getting supplies became a struggle during the initial phase of the pandemic. Delays were inevitable as borders tightened, and transportation became more complex. However, we managed to secure our supplies in bulk,” Makini explained.
However, the cost of resilience came with a price tag. “Prices soared, and that hit us hard. Our commitment to providing a taste of home to the African community in Kamloops became more challenging as we had to navigate the increased cost of imports and also broaden our scope of supplies as we included other items such as hair products,” Makini lamented.
I also had an interview with one of the clients who purchases items from Dede on the impacts of COVID 19. Grace is one of the people who purchase goods from Dede as she is an international student who cooks food to sell to her colleagues. I asked her how the COVID affected her shopping at Dede. Grace said, “COVID had it challenges and also positive effects. Though there was scarcity of supplies, the experience encouraged diversification of enterprises such as Dede hence now I am able to get all my supplies under one roof. The location for the new store is also easily accessible”
