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Cost of Living

The uncertain future of retail in Canada after a pandemic

Retailers of all kinds are struggling to stay afloat during the pandemic. Is the great retail apocalypse finally here? Not so fast, says one expert who is drawing lessons from New Orleans as it rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina.

Can small businesses survive the aftermath of COVID-19?

CBC Radio ·
As retailers adapt to new COVID-19 re-opening rules, stores like Espy in Calgary are offering shopping appointments, masks even custom hand sanitizer to make customers feel safe. (Anis Heydari/CBC)
Cost of Living10:04The future of retail after the coronavirus pandemic

A very different retail landscape is starting to emerge in North America as COVID-19 continues to affect almost every aspect of our economy. 

It's one without stores like Pier One Imports, Reitmans or Addition Elle. Independent stores, too, are struggling to stay afloat.

Is the great retail apocalypse finally here?

  • CBC Radio's business and economics show, Cost of Living, is back to its regular spring timeslot on CBC Radio One. Catch it Friday May 22 at 11:30 a.m. or Tuesday, May 26 at 11:30 p.m.

Not so fast, according to one expert who is drawing lessons from New Orleans, as it rebuilt after hurricane Katrina.

Cost of Living host Paul Haavardsrud and producer Anis Heydari dig into the future of retail.

Click 'Listen' at the top of this page to hear the whole episode or download the CBC Listen app.

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