Two years of Covid-19 in retailing: issues and changes

Caboni, Federica

;Pizzichini, Lucia

2021-01-01

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Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, scholars have studied effects caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus in different fields such as management, finance, business, and social science in general. The retailing sector was profoundly affected by several modifications during and after the first and second waves of COVID-19 worldwide. The spread of Covid-19, with the associated restrictions, the fear of social contact and the need to maintain physical distance, influenced both consumers and retailers. However, it was found that there is a lack of studies on key issues in the retail sector. For that reason, this paper aims to study how scholars in the business management research field have analysed this new retailing crisis and the retail field’s subsequent transformation. By adopting a qualitative research method based on a literature review, this paper identifies the main research topics – shopping, consumer behaviour, technology, and digitalization – related to COVID-19 and retailing in the business management research area. In particular, it was found that the above-mentioned topics need to be investigated in light of their connection and interrelation. The study shows the connection between the online shopping behaviours stimulated by the pandemic, the different retailer strategies to overcome the restrictions, and how digital technologies can serve as a bridge between the two.