A Parisian restaurant seeking a way to reopen its dining room as coronavirus restrictions are relaxed, is showcasing something a little different. Dining at a table where each person is enclosed by a clear plastic shield might look and sound futuristic, but it could be one way for some restaurants to reopen. It also might help out if your companion orders escargots, heavy on the garlic. The prototype plastic shields are known as the “Plex’eat,” and they resemble big clear lampshades suspended from the ceiling.
Meanwhile, further down the culinary scale, sales at Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons have improved in the US and Canada since the end of March. Popeyes’ US same-store sales rose about 40 percent at the end of May. Burger King’s US same-sales are down slightly from a year ago but have improved since March, when they were down around 30 percent. Tim Hortons same-store sales in Canada were down about 20 percent at the end of May, an improvement from 40 percent declines at the end of March.
Parent company Restaurant Brands International says an increase in deliveries and new family meal packs are driving sales.
German food discounter Aldi will have nearly 600 locations in the US available for curbside pickup by the end of July. The company, known for its low prices and store label brands, had tested the service in select stores. Aldi operates nearly 2,000 stores in the US
Dollar stores have become a lifeline to millions during the pandemic. On Thursday, Dollar Tree reported sales actually increased in the most recent quarter and the retail chain beat almost all expectations for sales as well. Also on Thursday, Dollar General posted a 21.7% increase in sales at established stores, topping even strong numbers from Walmart and Target.
Orders have improved “significantly” for the mattress company Tempur-Sealy as online orders surge and some stores are reopened. People are spending more hours in beds, sometimes working, during the shutdown. Still, Tempur-Sealy expects sales this quarter to be down 30% compared with a year ago.
A survey last month by the Kampgrounds of America found that the COVID-19 crisis had created a lot of new campers. New retail data backs that up.
In the two weeks ending May 2, sales for camping basics including tents jumped 30%, according to the retail tracker NPD Group. Hammock sales soared 103%, camp sets 119%, campfire equipment 42%, grills 74%. Sales of travel books, road maps and atlases are also soaring, as are sales of RV equipment.
“Cabin fever has set in big time,” said Matt Powell, NPD’s sports industry advisor.
Some businesses reopening with pandemic protocols in place have said they won’t accept cash for the time being, potentially accelerating what the Bank of Canada describes as a decade-long shift away from the banknote. Cashiers at Longos, Best Buy and The Shoe Company, for instance, will refuse cash out of concern the bills are a vector for the novel coronavirus. But experts – and Canada’s central bank – warn this leaves those without bank accounts, and some others with low incomes, by the wayside.