Sean Johnson, owner of Brute Force Games in San Diego, California, writes in and shares how his store is coping with this coronavirus pandemic threat (see "Comic and Game Retailers – What's Happening in Your Store?").

Everyday staff and I are trying to find ways to stay ahead of the curve.  We expect this to evolve, but so far we've made 3 changes:

1.  Add curbside pick-up to your offerings.  A lot of people do not want to come into a store front right now, and if you're unable to deliver, then pick-up is the next best solution.

2.  Engage the community to support local business.  This should be done year-round, but it's especially important to do now.  Remind people you're still there and appreciate their support.  It's also important to remind them that support doesn't always mean financial (see attachment).

3.  Offer e-Gift Cards for those that want to support now and shop later.  This is easy to implement and even if you're not online you can do payments over the phone.

The sad reality is that a lot of stores are going to close in the coming weeks/months.  Finding ways to stay relevant to customers is going to require a lot of work and ability to grab their attention will give you a better chance than others.

The opinions expressed in this Talk Back are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.

[We're asking comic and game retailers to share your stories, good or bad, about what's happening in your store (see "Comic and Game Retailers – What's Happening in Your Store?").  Send your story to tips@icv2.com.]