To Our Valued Customers
We imagine the impact of the novel coronavirus has likely reached you by now as well. We have been trying to make sense of this situation in our own way, and we are committed to taking the best possible actions and doing everything we can as Circles at this time.
In Portland, USA, where we have a Circles branch, the situation is quite tense, with residents barely able to leave their homes due to the response to a rapid surge in infections. We are also driven by great anxiety at the news coming in daily regarding the sharp rise in cases in Tokyo, the world's largest city. Additionally, I passed by Tsurumai Park nearby just after noon today and felt a bit uneasy seeing so many people out cherry blossom viewing in a nearly full-bloom park, as the tension in Nagoya still seems quite low. For that reason, I have decided to set forth our business and corporate policies at Circles regarding COVID-19.
As it stands, we are continuing our regular operations at Circles and working at full capacity to meet our customers' deadlines. However, we have made it mandatory for all employees working at the shop to wash their hands and gargle, and to wear masks at all times. To ensure the best possible ventilation, we are keeping the entrance open, so please dress warmly when you visit, as the shop temperature will be lower. There is also disinfectant spray at the entrance, so please be sure to sanitize your hands upon entry.
However, the situation is constantly changing. The truth is, we have no idea what the future holds. While next week is the final week of March, we plan to use the situation leading up to Wednesday (before our regular holiday) as a benchmark to establish new operating guidelines. We are considering a base policy of shortened business hours, with walk-ins accepted only for general bicycle repairs. For the delivery of bicycles currently in our care, as well as sports bike repairs, parts replacements, and new purchases, we anticipate moving to an appointment-only system. Please understand that for those vehicles, we will require you to leave them with us, with pickup scheduled for a later date; we ask for your understanding regarding these sudden changes.
Conversely, we have seen a remarkable increase in sales through the Circles web shop. While we are doing our utmost to manage inventory, avoid overselling, and prevent shipping errors, our shipping office staff are working carefully while maintaining as much distance as possible between workspaces, ensuring a comfortable enough environment to avoid any feeling of confinement. Please be aware that with the rising volume of orders, there is a possibility of minor shipping delays, and we ask for your kind consideration regarding the current social situation.
Let’s Treasure the Local
In a situation like this, what is it that you are starting to think about now? And what can we do? Since our founding, Circles has consistently believed that supporting the local economy and community is the fundamental basis for regional economic development, and we have operated our business accordingly. We believe that when we are able to overcome this unprecedented situation, our way of thinking will likely become the new standard. It is not just bike shops; other retail stores, restaurants, galleries, and theaters are all essential to the local economy. If you find yourself with time on your hands at home, it might be a good time to consider once again where and how your money is being spent. Furthermore, why not think about what kind of city you would like to live in once this emergency is over? If your local community still has an active economy, please try to support local businesses and spend your money within that community.
It has been a long and somewhat heavy message, but by carefully identifying what we can and should do right now to bring about an early end to this, we sincerely hope that once this situation has passed, we will be able to enjoy pedaling together with all of you again.
Circles Inc.
Representative: Shinya Tanaka
