What is the most bizarre business you could think of? Do COVID-19 essentials business sound crazy enough? Wait until you hear more: they sell electric masks with rechargeable batteries. Read the rest of the reportage below!
COVID-19 essentials as commodities
At least eight malls in America is occupied by COVID-19 essentials stores. The name explains the concept of the stores. Fashionable masks, with material from cotton to silk, are available for purchase. The stores can even make personalized masks on location. And yes, it may seem unreal, but “electric masks” installed with fans in it “to cool the face” are also available for $129. No need to worry, the fan works on rechargeable batteries. Sanitizing products, devices to help to be contactless are also sold.
Changing a tragedy into money
Noted from CNN, the co-founder of the chain, Nadav Benimetzky, saw the chance to start the business in the early stages of shutdowns. The malls are getting emptied out, people are complaining about how uncomfortable and unfashionable medical masks are, why not bet on the condition?
Benimetzky understands the risk of starting this business. As quoted from CNN, Benimetzky said, “we are capitalizing on the fact that there is a pandemic and there’s an immediate need for these items to keep people comfortably safe”. He further added that “we also know this could be short-lived. The day the pandemic is over, we will move on to another new concept.”
Accordingly, CNN reported the safety gear market has been in spurge due to the pandemic. The estimated masks sales alone might reach $1 billion to $9 billion by 2021. The digit comes from the assumption that at least 50% of the U.S. population will wear reusable masks by next year.
Benimetzky opened his first store, which took place in the Aventura Mall in Miami, in early June. Benimetzky, along with his brother and sister soon branched the stores to Short Hills mall in New Jersey and Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas.
COVID-19 essentials competitors coming
Believe it or not, Benimetzky’s COVID-19 essentials stores are not the only ones existing in America. Another store with a similar concept, namely CV19 Essential, is open in New York City’s Herald Square. The store has just opened in early September, a little bit later than Benimetzky’s.
Store manager Benjamin Hu revealed to CNN that the store has a wide variety of products sold. From reusable and disposable masks, wipes, hand sanitizers, sanitizing devices, air purifiers, and even plexiglass barriers are available for purchase. They also provide Covid-19 nose swab test with a standard 72-hour result.
The idea of opening up stores in malls to sell Covid-19 essentials is unique, but it also comes with a big risk. Nevertheless, the business might actually really help people in this bleak situation.
Read also: Donald Trump Positive for COVID-19
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