KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Employees will return to work next week as some businesses prepare to open, but the number of customers they'll see is still up in the air.
Experts told 41 Action News while they can't generalize the response among all consumers, they're expecting many to use the wait-and-see approach.
“It’s unlikely things will go back to normal right away," said Atul Kulkarni, assistant professor of marketing, UMKC.
Kulkarni believes most people will be watching to see if COVID-19 cases spike soon after the stay-at-home order is lifted. Younger consumers are the most likely to get out, while others will stay at home, erring on the side of caution.
“Next two, three weeks will probably be crucial. That will give us some data to look back and see, you know, what’s likely to be the sentiment going forward from the consumer side," Kulkarni said.
The Screenland Armour Theatre in North Kansas City will not be reopening on May 4 when the mandate is lifted. Owner Adam Roberts told 41 Action News the theatre needs more time to put specific procedures into place. Roberts also noted new movies will not be released until late July.
Next door to the theatre is Fresh Healthy Fast, a plant-based restaurant that had to adjust their menu and staffing due to the pandemic.
“We’ve also had to let some people go unfortunately, just because of the lack of people being able to come into the store," said Elizabeth Clay, co-owner.
Clay said when the stay-at-home order is lifted, it doesn't mean business as usual for the restaurant.
“At first we’re not going to allow people in the store still, we’re still going to do curbside," Clay said.
With many businesses and consumers uncertain about life after the mandates are lifted, experts believe the recovery process will be a slow one.
“The recovery might look like a Nike swoosh type of thing, you know, people may slowly start loosening up and going out," Kulkarni said.
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