PORTLAND, Ore. (BRAIN) — In this time of uncertainty, two companies pooled their resources to help retailers let customers know about their status during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Portland Design Works and Chris King Precision Components combined to create a nationwide interactive retailer locator map. Clicking on a link will call up the shop and its current status (hours and operating procedure).
The sign-up period began Tuesday and the map goes live Friday, with retailers able to join and update their status during the pandemic. In the first 24 hours, 400 shops registered, for free, said RoseMary Sindt, PDW's marketing manager. The immediate goal is 1,000 by Friday, Sindt said.
"The more dealers that join the listing, the more effective this will be," Sindt said. "It is a simple resource to use once the form is completed."
The map will be published on PDW and Chris King websites and both companies will email information about it through their consumer newsletters, Sindt said. The map can be linked or embedded into any retailer's website. Other companies, organizations, and online publications can email PDW to embed the map on their site.
"We aim to support local bikes shops without overwhelming them, as everyone is now operating very differently than they were last spring," Sindt said. "This map is intended to be a part of a larger developing campaign pushing folks to support their local bike shops during these uncertain times."
She said the data accumulated already has been insightful.
"For instance, of those 400 who have signed up so far, 40% of the bike shops continue to be open regular hours, whereas 2% are temporarily closed. Wouldn't it be fantastic to have a nationwide look at that info?"
The interactive map idea was sparked by BikePortland.org, which covers cycling and transportation issues in the Portland, Oregon, region. It began a spreadsheet when the pandemic hit, updating the status of local bike shops. Sindt saw it and began thinking about expanding the idea nationally. The same week, PDW sent its newsletter detailing how shops were adapting. It got one recipient, Greg Hudson of Chris King, thinking about a national map, too.
"We basically had the same idea at the same time and decided it needed to be put in motion as soon as possible," Sindt said. "I'm sure a lot of other folks out there were thinking similarly."
Sindt said the map will help the industry with a visual resource to alleviate some of the unknown.
"Warmer weather is pretty much here all around the country, and even with stay-at-home procedures in place, folks are going to be ready to ride," she said. "We hope we can help them find their local shop, so they can still get out there. Together we can all keep the wheels turning."
