For more than a year now, our entire lives have been largely relegated to virtual settings. Instead of seeing people in person, those people are represented by small thumbnails on a screen. From business meetings and birthday parties to dinner parties and dance recitals, the onset of the Covid pandemic forced us all onto Zoom.
This has business and operational impacts, as well. Restaurants were forced to pivot to accommodate off-premise diners. Healthcare facilities had to do whatever they could to protect the safety of staff and patients. People were forced to buy retail goods online instead of in their favorite stores.
Yes, a lot shifted toward virtual settings over the last year, and many of those changes are most certainly going to extend into the future even in a post-Covid world. But let us offer up an industry where those virtual changes won't stick around because they never really existed in the first place:
HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTERS IN THE AGE OF COVID
It's virtually impossible to enjoy the services of a health and wellness center or to complete your morning workout on an elliptical machine at the gym when you're stuck at home. Health and wellness is one industry that doesn't really work online or in a takeout style. Patrons need to be there in person to enjoy the benefits.
As we look toward a post-Covid world, these types of operations are expected to rebound en masse as more and more people look to resume or even begin healthier modes of living. There will likely be some changes implemented in terms of staffing and operations, and the points of employee/patron interaction will definitely be analyzed and possibly changed to preserve safety.
Consider the social distance.
Does it make sense to extend the points of interaction so there is sufficient spacing between patrons and staff? Are barriers needed? Can these new spaces be created so as to enhance the customer experience and not degrade it? We advise checking with local regulations to anticipate what might be needed for the future and plan with a safety-first mentality. Points of interaction can most certainly be created to upgrade the customer experience.
Plan for the potential of spreading.
We know Covid is an airborne disease that is transmitted through droplets. We also know gyms, workout facilities, yoga studios, and other types of health and wellness facilities involve patrons who are breathing heavily. What changes can be implemented to help mitigate these potential threats while still providing the experience customers pay to enjoy? Social distancing, ventilation, customer and staff screening, and even developing a system for providing and disposing of workout towels can all play a role.
Remember what got you there.
Like in so many other industries, we're already starting to see increases in activity, sales, and profits. This is great news for everyone, and health and wellness facilities will be at the forefront of the recovery. By staying up-to-date on regulations and recovery resources to planning for the return of customers, operators will set themselves up for the remainder of the year. People are ready to get back out there and get healthy, and that's why health and wellness business operators are in business.
Are you interested in learning more about how Randal Retail Group can help your health and wellness club get healthier? Sign up for our free retail review by clicking the image below.
