By the first week of May, 80% of retailers were back open and trading, according to new data from an Australian Retailers Association (ARA) survey.
In line with government recommendations, 90% of retailers preparing to reopen told the ARA they would use floor markings to ensure social distancing, with a large majority ensuring staff had access to PPE such as face masks and gloves.
The impact of the virus on turnover has been broadly felt across the sector with one in four reporting their turnover had fallen by more than 70% in April. Meanwhile almost three quarters of respondents said their turnover was reduced by more than 20%.
However, while in-store sales declined, many retailers have experienced growth in online sales, with one in five respondents recording an increase of more than 20% in their online sales.
Despite the increase in digital sales, retailers are seeking support in other areas such as leasing, finance, mental health, and wage subsidy support.
The majority (60%) of respondents had held discussions with their landlord over their lease, with around half reporting the landlord had been helpful during the crisis.
The ARA also found that 77% of respondents have applied for JobKeeper support, while 39% had contacted their bank for help.
The mental health impact of the pandemic has also been felt across the retail sector, with 30% of business owners indicating that they have experienced mental health issues.
Meanwhile a similar proportion of businesses have reported that their staff have encountered mental health struggles during the disruption.
The survey was sent to all ARA members. Most respondents were single store traders (68%), or smaller members with two to five stores (19%). A further 8% were retailers with 6-50 stores, and retailers with 50+ stores or national chains accounting for the remainder (5%) of survey respondents.