Businesses move online in quest to survive

Galway retailers are once again relying on ‘click and collect’ and online trade to survive – along with state supports – after Government closed all non-essential retail on New Year’s Eve for four weeks at least.

And while most retail businesses are cursing the third Lockdown, there was some good news for bargain hunters – January sales, which had initially been ruled out by Government, are now allowed to proceed online.

Family-run businesses such as Dervan’s Fashion on Main Street, Loughrea have been hit hard by another Lockdown, so soon after November restrictions were lifted.

But they’re grateful for customers who are determined to shop local now more than ever.

“It’s been a real shock to the system to be locked down, but an understandable shock, I want to emphasise that. The country is in a bad place. I’m not a denier of what’s going on, but that doesn’t take away from the devastating effect it’s having,” said Gerard Dervan.

“The support from customers has been phenomenal. There was a huge appetite to shop local among younger and older people, everybody, and not just here, I’m hearing it from other people in business around the country, and without that it would be very, very hard to survive but people genuinely are making an effort to buy local. We’re grateful for that,” he said.

McD’s garden and home store in Loughrea remains open for essentials and it is having a massive ‘click and collect’ Christmas clearance sale at its Galway Crystal store on the Dublin Road in the city with up to 70% off.

Owner Seán McDonald, despite the uncertainty the pandemic has created, remains upbeat about 2021.

“We were busy last spring but I anticipate that this spring will be busier. I’m a glass is half-full person. There is that uncertainty, we just don’t know.

“The plan I had two weeks ago is different to the plan I have right now and it could be a different plan next week. Whether shops are open or closed in spring, we’ll be ready,” he said.

See full coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now – or you can download your digital copy from www.connachttribune.ie