Investigating Retailers’ Compliance with Covid-19 Curfews and Business Implications: Evidence from Minna, Nigeria

Abstract

Covid-19 (C-19) lockdowns in Niger State was aimed at curtailing spread of Corona Virus in the State as well as protecting lives of citizens  in general, and retailers and their customers in particular. However, the effectiveness of the initial phase of the lockdowns and its impact  on the retail sub-sector of the local economy call for interrogation and investigation. Thus, this study examined the perceived  enforcement of C-19 curfews in Minna metropolis, the retailers’ compliance with the C-19 curfews, and the gains and/or losses recorded  by the retail sub-sector among others. The study surveyed 51 retailers of daily needs spread across 17 districts in Minna in April-2020 and  obtained research data via schedule-structured interview. Following descriptive data analysis and Pearson Correlation test, the study  found that the retailers were well informed about the C-19 curfews; nonetheless the retailers opened shops regularly because C-19  curfews were partially enforced, which endangered the lives of salespeople and patronising customers more so that protective measures  by the retailers were largely ignored. Also, the C-19 curfew posed huge threats to the retail outlets which made them suffered declined patronage, sales turnover and profit as well as scarcity of inventory supplies, hike in transport fare, and inflated price of supplies, among  others. Essentially, the study found significant positive correlation between reality of C-19 and adherence to protective measures. The  study, therefore, recommends that Niger State Government should ensure adequate enforcement of the pandemic related curfews in  order to protect lives of the retailers and their customers involved in commerce now and in future.