To have any shot at a full recovery, restaurants owners and retailers need as many Americans as possible to have shots in their arm. A fully vaccinated public is the ONLY way to reopen at full capacity—especially indoors. Yet the very people who have most vocally objected to marketplace shutdowns refuse to participate in marketplace reopening. At this time, over 40% of Americans are saying they will not get the vaccine because they don’t trust the government or believe there is no medical reason to receive the shot.

But bold businesspeople are not dissuaded, using creative marketing to revitalize their marketplace. Recently I noticed interesting signs in retail windows suggesting free merchandise and incentives for fully vaccinated customers. Both LYFT and Uber are offering free rides for those who are traveling to get their vaccine. LYFT is working with CVS, and Uber is teaming up with Walgreens. Trader Joe’s and many other grocery stores are offering to pay for employee’s vaccines and provide paid time off to get their shots. Instacart, Dollar General, Chobani and many others followed the trend and are providing paid leave for those who get vaccinated. Staples is offering free lamination for CDC vaccination cards. (BTW—those cards are a joke. Anyone can easily photoshop them. If push comes to shove, you can bet we will have some forged vaccination cards tossed around.)

Numerous retailers are sweetening the pot with incentives and deals for those inoculated. Speaking of pot, dispensaries are setting up tables outside vaccine locations offering a free bag of weed or gummies for those who show their vaccination card. Dispensaries are calling it “Joints for Jabs.” After vaccinated customers get glazed over, they can stop by Krispy Kreme for a free glazed donut or by Wendy’s for a free frosty. Sporting venues are offering discounts on tickets and food for those with completed vaccination cards. The Cincinnati Reds are offering $10 tickets.

I hope the vaccine is a good thing and does not turn ugly and divide our nation the ways masks have. I have spoken to friends and family who have stated that they will not invite family members to their gatherings if they are not vaccinated. Of course, everyone needs to make his or her own decision what is best, but I hope we can all get on the other side of COVID and start living our best lives. Hopefully, we can all get through it together and stop hating and fighting each other. Let’s do it for our restaurants and retailers; they may not survive another surge or closure. For now I will take the discounts given to me and feel a little safer when going out to dine, shop and play.

Source: Retail Me Not