Manitoba ushers in 2nd retail shutdown, but big-box stores aren't choosing to close this time

Manitoba is facing a widespread business shutdown for the second time in thepandemic butthis time, big-box stores aren't voluntarily closing their doors.

Under the latest restrictions for retailers in the province, which came into effect Thursday, all non-essential retail stores are required to closeto in-person shopping.

But that doesn't apply to many big-box stores, which because of the products they sell fall under the "essential businesses" umbrella.

In March,when uncertaintywith the first wave of the pandemic was peaking, many big retailers willingly closed up shop. Some of them were always considered essential, based on the wording of Manitoba's public health orders, but they chose to reopen to in-store customers at their own pace.

Now, these retailers are choosing to still welcome customers and theperception is that Manitoba's second broadshutdownisn't as strict as the first.

Ikea closed to in-person shopping foraroundtwo months at the start of the pandemic, reopening in May. This time, it's staying open.

"We know that this situation is unpredictable and quickly changing, but compared to eight months ago, we have transformed our operations and are more prepared to navigate with health and safety at the forefront," the company said in a statement.

"We will continue to monitor closely and will always act in accordance with any decisions that the province takes."

Ikea said it is deemed a critical service in Manitoba because it sells office suppliesand services.

Customers can still enter Hudson's Bayretail locations in Winnipeg because personal care, hygiene items and child and baby products are sold there essential products under the public health order.

"Thehealthand well-beingof customers and associates remains our top priorityas we continueto providetheessential products Canadians need,in accordance withthe ordersissued bythe provincial government," the Bay said in a prepared statement.

'Uneven playing field' for small business: CFIB

Small business owners, however, have saidthey're at an unfair disadvantage when their big-box competition can keep selling in-store offering non-essential products they carry along with those considered essential.

"So many small businesses I've talked to in the last three or four days, they would love to stay open," saidJonathan Alward, Prairie director of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

"They would love to be able to keep their staff employed, to try and salvage the rest of their year by having a somewhat strong holiday season," he said.

"I hope that not just large retailers recognize this uneven playing field, but I hope that all Manitobans are consciously thinking about how can they support small businesses right now."

Alward said Manitoba should consider preventing the sale of non-essential items in large stores, which some jurisdictions in the United States and U.K.have done.

Keri Kettle, anassistant professor of marketing at the University of Manitoba, said businesseshave personal protective equipment andprotocols in place to ensure safety. They didn't have those precautions in the spring, when staff and customers were more nervous, he said.

As such, businesses big or small aren't keen toclose again, Kettle said, and manyconsumers don't want them to.

"Perceptionsof the risk have changed, and so people believe, rightly or wrongly, that they can protect themselves better now than they believed they could in March and April."

That's not only emboldened retailers, says Kettle. In addition, "retailersfeel like they canoperate with minimal risk of their staff getting sick."

If Monica Smith could, she'd welcome customers into her Transcona toy store, Aunt Monica's Attic. But considered a non-essential business, she'srelegatedto curbside pickup and delivery by mail.

"With retail sales, this is how you pay your bills for the whole year, is in November and December," she said.

Smith said she doesn't blame the large retailersfor staying open. After all, she said, they'rekeeping local people employed and if she had the option, she'd do the same.

"Big-boxstores, if they're not being told to shut down, they're not going to do it. Same with my store."