Shoppers go back to stores, but retailers face challenges
Shoppers are reflected in a retail store's windows, Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Chicago's famed Loop. With vaccinations rolling out and shoppers freer to go out maskless, retailers are seeing an eager return to their stores after months of watching their customers focus on online buying during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

Shoppers are reflected in a retail store's windows, Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in Chicago's famed Loop. With vaccinations rolling out and shoppers freer to go out maskless, retailers are seeing an eager return to their stores after months of watching their customers focus on online buying during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

May. 27, 2021 02:55 PM EDT
Shoppers exit a shopping mall in Chicago downtown, Tuesday, May 25, 2021. Americans are going back to one of their favorite pastimes: store shopping. With vaccinations rolling out and shoppers freer to go out maskless, retailers are seeing an eager return to their stores after months of watching their customers focus on online buying during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

Shoppers exit a shopping mall in Chicago downtown, Tuesday, May 25, 2021. Americans are going back to one of their favorite pastimes: store shopping. With vaccinations rolling out and shoppers freer to go out maskless, retailers are seeing an eager return to their stores after months of watching their customers focus on online buying during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

May. 27, 2021 02:54 PM EDT
Troy Hemlin visiting Chicago from Springfield Il., crosses the street carrying shopping bags, Wednesday, May 26, 2021, in downtown Chicago. Americans are going back to one of their favorite pastimes: store shopping. With vaccinations rolling out and shoppers freer to go out maskless, retailers are seeing an eager return to their stores after months of watching their customers focus on online buying during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

Troy Hemlin visiting Chicago from Springfield Il., crosses the street carrying shopping bags, Wednesday, May 26, 2021, in downtown Chicago. Americans are going back to one of their favorite pastimes: store shopping. With vaccinations rolling out and shoppers freer to go out maskless, retailers are seeing an eager return to their stores after months of watching their customers focus on online buying during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

May. 27, 2021 02:55 PM EDT
Shoppers walk past a giant LL Bean boot outside the Ross Park Mall in Pittsburgh Sunday, May 23, 2021. With vaccinations rolling out and shoppers freer to go out maskless, retailers are seeing an eager return to their stores after months of  watching their customers focus on online buying during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Shoppers walk past a giant LL Bean boot outside the Ross Park Mall in Pittsburgh Sunday, May 23, 2021. With vaccinations rolling out and shoppers freer to go out maskless, retailers are seeing an eager return to their stores after months of  watching their customers focus on online buying during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

May. 27, 2021 02:55 PM EDT
A group of shoppers sit as they take a break from shopping, Wednesday, May 26, 2021, in downtown Chicago. With vaccinations rolling out and shoppers freer to go out maskless, retailers are seeing an eager return to their stores after months of watching their customers focus on online buying during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

A group of shoppers sit as they take a break from shopping, Wednesday, May 26, 2021, in downtown Chicago. With vaccinations rolling out and shoppers freer to go out maskless, retailers are seeing an eager return to their stores after months of watching their customers focus on online buying during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

May. 27, 2021 02:55 PM EDT
Evening light falls on pedestrians and shoppers as they cross the street in downtown Chicago, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. With vaccinations rolling out and shoppers freer to go out maskless, retailers are seeing an eager return to their stores after months of watching their customers focus on online buying during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

Evening light falls on pedestrians and shoppers as they cross the street in downtown Chicago, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. With vaccinations rolling out and shoppers freer to go out maskless, retailers are seeing an eager return to their stores after months of watching their customers focus on online buying during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

May. 27, 2021 02:55 PM EDT
Shoppers wait in line outside a Chicago downtown retail store as others pass by, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. With vaccinations rolling out and shoppers freer to go out maskless, retailers are seeing an eager return to their stores after months of watching their customers focus on online buying during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

Shoppers wait in line outside a Chicago downtown retail store as others pass by, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. With vaccinations rolling out and shoppers freer to go out maskless, retailers are seeing an eager return to their stores after months of watching their customers focus on online buying during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

May. 27, 2021 02:55 PM EDT