Seattle's The Purple Store at Pike Place Market Adapts to New Shopping Patterns from COVID-19

Seattle's businesses have scrambled to adapt to the novel coronavirus outbreak. And while the most serious COVID-19 cases in Washington State have so far occurred at a nursing home outside Seattle, the outbreak has significantly impacted the city's retail stores.

One of Seattle's most unusual spots, The Purple Store that only sells purple items for those who love the color, has seen fewer visitors, even for the normally slower winter season. The store's location at historic Pike Place Market gives a clear window into the effect on Seattle tourism.

The shopping patterns have shifted. The fewer people who do venture out to the market or head specifically to The Purple Store are actively shopping, not just looking. "It's different," says employee Lorraine Brandes. "We're seeing fewer people in the door but those who come in are on a mission to buy something purple."

Customers are now invited to wash their hands or use sanitizer as they enter. "We have vulnerable staff members, including two with cancer and one who's 81 years old," notes owner Adam Sheridan. "Protecting our staff comes first and customers have warmed to this, taking it in stride. Carrying your own hand sanitizer has become the new normal."

Keeping the more vulnerable staff members home and offering as much remote work as possible helps slow the coronavirus spread but leaves fewer staff available in the storefront, a challenge shared by many nearby stores.

The Purple Store has shifted to focus more on its web sales, having launched originally in 2004 as an online-only business at thepurplestore.com. "We're focusing on new purple items that make it more fun to spend time at home, such as kitchen gadgets, decor, games, and purple kids books, plus things like purple hand soap," says Sheridan. "If you have to wash your hands more often, at least do it with purple soap that smells good."

The next few months could be tough for businesses in Seattle, particularly those relying on summer tourism and cruise ship passengers. "We'll do our best to support our purple fans and keep a safe and fun environment to visit. We'll use the time to develop and be ready with even more purple when things pick back up."

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More information: 206 801-1599 press320@thepurplstore.com
Photos, audio clips, and video clips available.

The Purple Store
92 Stewart Street
Seattle, WA 98101
USA

206 801-1599
press320@thepurplstore.com
Photos, audio clips, and video clips available.

Yes, everything The Purple Store sells is purple. It turns out everyone's either a purple fan or knows someone who loves the color. From clothing to furniture to jewelry to duct tape, The Purple Store makes it easy to find 1,300 purple items in one place. Since 2004, selling online at thepurplestore.com and now at the downtown Seattle flagship location in Pike Place Market.

This release was published on openPR.