The coronavirus has certainly caused many businesses to pull back, reduce staff, and cut operations.
Still, there are some businesses out there that are keeping very busy; in fact, they may have more business than they can handle.
“We are very grateful and very blessed right now,” says Trevor Chapman of All Seasons Pools and Spas. “We were not expecting a boom of this magnitude given this pandemic.”
At All Seasons Pools and Spas, the swimming pool business is going along.. swimmingly. Want an above ground pool, ranging from $5000 to $15,000? You may have to wait a bit.
“The supply cannot keep up with the demand right now,” explains Chapman. “The vendors, the manufacturers-- they cannot build it fast enough to sell it to the customer fast enough.” The numbers, add Chapman, are impressive. “We are over-booked—with above-ground pools, I think we’re up 50%, and it’s about 18 weeks to get a pool kit in.” After which, he says, it may take another month or two for the installation to be completed.
That means this year’s pool purchase really becomes next year’s actual pool. And if you order one right now? You’re looking at a November / December delivery and install. “Correct. Merry Christmas,” Chapman laughs.
Spas are hard to get, too. Best advice, preorder the pool or spa, and put down a deposit.
Then there’s the jewelry business. Retailers like Buttross Jewelers in Lafayette are having a busy July because of the delays that happened in the spring.
“A lot of people bought graduation gifts late, first communion gifts late,” says Nora Buttross. “Plus confirmations, birthdays and anniversaries; so many things were postponed and pushed to later in the year, even with the best intentions.”
Requests for repairs have dramatically increased, and then there are the things in the cases. “The heaviest thing that’s selling is wedding-related: engagement rings, wedding bands, diamond wedding bands, multiple wedding bands, and men’s rings.”
Buttross credits the stimulus checks for the majority of the increased business. “The relief package checks are making a difference,” she says. “I think people have stayed home too long. They’ve sat in their house for basically six weeks to three months, and they’ve looked at their jewelry that’s been in the jewelry box broken, and they’ve come in with a lot of repairs.”
Fun fact: from April to May of this year, jewelry stores in Lafayette have experienced a 76% increase in sales.
What else is doing well?
According to LEDA taxable sales data from the month of May, roofing contractors, the purchase of heavy equipment, and the purchase of motor boats are seeing dramatic increases even during this pandemic.
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