COVID back in the news
Governor’s office says mask mandates not under consideration
Nominate a retailer for ROTY
News and notes from around the state
August break for FF
- With the delta variant of the COVID virus on the rise again, both in CT and nationwide, concern about the impact of the virus is again back in the news.
- The Governor’s office’s latest numbers show that cases in CT are indeed rising, with the highest hospitalization in the state since late May. You can review the latest CT numbers by going here.
- The Hartford Courant has a good story on where the virus is most impactful in CT. You can go here to read that.
CRMA in contact with Governor’s office regarding mask mandates
- CRMA has reached out to DECD commissioner David Lehman with regard to the rising cases of the delta variant in CT and the increased chatter of a return to mask mandates.
- As we all know, the Governor lifted the mask mandate back in May and left if up to each retailer to decide on their own if they wanted to require unvaccinated folks to wear masks in their stores.
- When we asked the Commissioner if mask mandates would return, the response was a simple, it’s not under consideration at this time.
- That may be, but with the speed at which this debate is moving, there is a possibility that could change.
- We will have to keep a close eye on things and will remain in contact with the Governor’s team and of course will let you know as soon as we hear anything.
- Also, it is important to note that the Governor made clear – in the same story in the Courant – that regarding other restrictions that were put in place, such as travel restrictions, he would like the legislature’s input before he makes any final decisions.
- That is different from the way he operated during the first year and half of the COVID crisis. So again, something we are going to have to watch closely.
Nominate a Retailer of the Year
- Yesterday, we sent out to members a notice reminding you to nominate your business or another retailer, especially those that have managed their way thru this past year in an extraordinary way.
- Please don’t hesitate to send in your nominations. Our Board of Directors is eager to review nominations and get out to visit stores so that we can honor another great retailer this year at our awards luncheon.
- To learn more about this year’s event, you can visit our website, crmaonline.com. We expect to have formal invitations and registration sheets ready for members and guests to submit by the end of next week.
- In meantime, please email us at tim@ctretailnetwork.com if you have a special retailer – including your own store – that you think is deserving of Retailer of the Year recognition by CRMA.
News and notes from around the state
- Connecticut’s minimum wage increases from $12 to $13 per hour as of August 1, in accordance with legislation approved in 2019. Fairfield County Business Journal has the details here.
- When lawmakers adopted a new, two-year state budget in early June, an unprecedented, $2.3 billion surplus was built into the package. Now, it looks as though this fiscal cushion might be hundreds of millions of dollars larger. CT Mirror’s Keith Phaneuf has the story here.
- FedEx Ground this week announced plans to hire 1,250 new employees at four of its Connecticut facilities, in South Windsor, Windsor, Middletown and Willington. Hartford Business Journal has the news here.
- Lamont announced the selection of a private claims administrator for the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority. Selected was Aflac Inc., with a promise to establish 150 jobs in Windsor. The Hartford Courant has the announcement here.
- The City of Bridgeport will pull money out of People’s United Bank, and a local legislator is calling for a public hearing, in response to 700+ layoffs announced by M&T Bank in its acquisition of People’s. The Hartford Courant has the story here.
- A survey of small businesses across the country by Alignable found that 34% of Connecticut small business owners said they could not make full rent payments this month. Fairfield County Business Journal has the survey highlights here.
This will be our last scheduled FF for the summer. We are taking an August recess but will be sure to notify you of any breaking news on any subject that may impact your business. We will remain on the job during August but won’t resume doing a weekly FF until September. We look forward to reaching out to you then. But please remember – we are here if you need anything; don’t hesitate to ask.