Impact of COVID-19 on Female Retail Workers Diverging Significantly

The Shoptalk community recently conducted a survey among 330 women, delving into the effects of COVID-19 on their careers in retail. However, the results do not reveal who carried out the survey.

The findings show a relatively consistent impact of the pandemic across seniority and organization types. One-fourth of the women surveyed reported a negative impact on their careers, while another 40% said COVID-19 has had no impact. On a positive note, slightly over one-third of the women said it has had a positive impact.

Interestingly, the drivers of positive impacts tended to be more attitudinal, while the drivers of negative impacts were more quantitative. Women with children or other dependents did not report a dramatically different career impact than those without kids, but they did identify distinct challenges related to caregiving.

Pandemic-induced economic uncertainty and a desire for job security have led to a significant reduction in job moves among the Shoptalk community's women leaders in 2020. This trend is reflected in the increased number of women acting as resources, with 47% of women at VP-level and higher taking on this role.

Mentors or champions have been "important" or "very important" to 84% of women across all seniority levels in their careers. This support system has been instrumental in helping women navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic.

In response to these challenges, the Shoptalk team is producing an Original Content series on The State of Women Working in Retail. The series, which can be learned more about on their website, explores four phases: Where We Are, How We Got Here, How We're Making Waves, and Where We're Headed.

The first piece in the series examined the overall landscape for women working in retail. It revealed that 36% of the surveyed women have become resources for other women in the workplace.

Shoptalk Meetup for Women is another platform for women to do business, share ideas, and champion others. Tickets for the event can be purchased on the website, providing an opportunity for women to engage and network within the retail industry.

The Shoptalk Meetup for Women and the State of Women Working in Retail series are part of Shoptalk's commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for women in retail. By addressing the challenges faced by women in the industry, these initiatives aim to empower women and drive positive change.