The Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) announced on Monday that it has launched a statewide radio campaign aimed at educating consumers about the safeguards they should adopt when visiting a grocery, pharmacy or retail store.
The public service advertisement (PSA) will air 2,100 times over the next 10 days in every media market throughout the state. The buy includes airtime on African American radio stations, as well as a version of the ad to be broadcast on Spanish language stations.
“From the earliest stages of this pandemic, retailers have implemented sweeping changes to how they operate their stores while at the same time meeting unprecedented customer demand. The goal of this PSA is to ensure customers take precautions to keep themselves and other customers safe while also protecting our essential retail workers,” said Rob Karr, president and CEO, Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “As always, retailers across the state are working diligently to ensure safe working and shopping environments for all who enter our stores. As the governor has noted several times, we need consumers to also do their part.”
The ad includes the following advice:
- Wear a cloth mask that covers your nose and mouth.
- Remember, both inside and outside the store, stay at least 6 feet apart.
- When possible, avoid using cash.
- Try to have one member per family go shopping.
Finally, the ads remind shoppers to “please thank retail employees. They are working for you. Retailers are committed to keeping employees and customers safe and our shelves stocked.”
IRMA represents more than 23,000 stores of all sizes and merchandise lines throughout the state.