Key Issues For Retailers Navigating Disparate Stay-at-Home Orders And Store Closure Requirements

Key Points

• All but a few states are now under some type of stay-at-home order that requires non-essential businesses to close to the public.
• Retailers seeking to continue store operations should undertake a careful review of the orders in effect in each jurisdiction where stores are located.
• Retailers should anticipate additional and evolving regulations and will need to adapt in real time.

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve, retailers are facing unprecedented challenges. Retailers have provided individuals with access to the goods they need to remain safe and comfortable at home during this difficult time. However, one issue that has been a source of confusion for retailers is the need to navigate a complex and ever-changing patchwork of stay-at-home orders to determine if a store location can remain open and, if so, whether operations need to be limited and whether all goods within the store can be available for sale to consumers.