Successfully Managing Retail Businesses During and After a Crisis

For retailers, it is key to be prepared before, during, and after times of crisis. As retailers across the globe navigate the current coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, they are dealing with having to close their doors if deemed nonessential, monitoring the safety and well-being of their employees, evaluating their liquidity, and preserving their cash position.

Looking ahead, retailers should remain focused on monitoring changes to operations and when states start to allow businesses to reopen, evaluating supply chain, and maintaining customer loyalty.

Some additional key considerations that retailers should bear in mind include:

• How to successfully navigate government offerings such as the PPP Program and treasury loans as additional guidance comes out; there should be careful evaluation of eligibility criteria and review of certifications
• The importance of handling employment matters carefully, including onsite safety, sick leave requests, etc.
• How due diligence could be impacted for potential sales or acquisitions
• How the recent COVID-19 tax relief provisions can help businesses preserve or create liquidity and what the potential tax impact could be after the crisis

This presentation was part of the Morgan Lewis M&A Academy webinar series. We invite you to subscribe to Morgan Lewis publications to receive updates on trends, legal developments, and other relevant areas.