How Second Showing Boutique Keeps Customers Engaged And Safe During Covid-19
FREDERICTON – Second Showing Boutique has developed the right safety measures and online sales strategy to serve its customers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The popular Fredericton consignment store sells used clothes, but owner Carlien Brouwer says all Covid-19 precautions are taken to keep the clothes clean and make for a safe shopping environment.
“If you have new clothes or used clothing, every piece of clothing, even in a new store, is handled by somebody,” Brouwer said.
“So, in that regard, it doesn’t make a difference.”
Consignment is an arrangement of goods given to a third-party seller, which would be the store, and sold with partial revenue usually going back to the original owner.
Brouwer said they have to be picky about what clothes they sell, but their loyal consigners are aware of that.
“I think through the years consignment has evolved as well, so people who come and look for items are expecting almost new, good quality clothing,” Brouwer said.
She is the fourth owner of the shop, but this is the first year the shop has an online store.
When Covid-19 hit, Brouwer’s tech-savvy husband worked fast to start up an online store to allow customers to continue shopping with them even during the shutdown.
“There were people who supported us and purchased through online sales,” Brouwer said.
“But that’s not what makes you survive. It’s to keep the connection going so people don’t forget about you.”
Second Showing Boutique is active on social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. They post multiple times a day to keep customers informed and engaged.
When the shop was told they could reopen, they didn’t waste any time and opened right away.
When clothing is tried on but not purchased, it’s put into quarantine for three days.
“At that time, we made arrangements in the store so there was more floor space so it’s easier for people to avoid each other [and we] made sure that we had a screen at the cash register,” she said.
Brouwer also noted that masks are to be worn when social distancing cannot be maintained. She said when the store isn’t busy, it’s okay for masks to be down. But as soon as the store becomes busy or customers get close to others, a mask has to be worn.
Brouwer wants people to know that their store is clean and operates with all COVID-19 protocols in place.
She uses proper signage to tell customers what the rules are in the store.
Hand sanitization is key to make sure customers are clean coming in and clean going out.
“I think that’s what we should do everywhere,” Brouwer said.
“[That way,] germs don’t travel too much or any more than necessary.”