Retailers Fortify Stores As Election Chaos Nears
As the U.S. presidential election draws near, city governments and federal and local law enforcement across the country are preparing for social unrest around the elections on Nov. 03.
Reuters has learned that it’s not just the government, at all levels, preparing for what could be another round of chaos on the streets of big cities, but also corporate America has gathered intel that shows their store fronts could be in danger.
Reuters spoke with Aon Plc., the world’s largest insurance broker, who said many of their retail clients are mulling over the idea that they must prepare for social chaos around the elections.
Aon executive MaryAnne Burke said 70% of their retail clients had their stores boarded up in May and June during nationwide protests; many of them have already started, or will likely soon begin boarding up for a second time.
Gucci, H&M, Under Armour, and Apple refused to answer Reuters’ questions about their pre/post-election security plans – but more than two dozen security consultants, insurers, contractors, and store employees confirmed that some of these major retailers were “installing reinforced glass, hiring security guards or retaining on-call teams that barricade and board up buildings.”