From social distancing to scores of employees transitioning to working from home, the coronavirus crisis is changing our daily habits, including how we shop. To prevent further spreading of the disease, some fashion retails are adopting precautionary measures early by closing their physical storefronts for the time being.
Here’s a breakdown of some companies that already have shut their doors.
Allbirds
The eco-friendly brand said today it would close its stores in the U.S. and Europe through March 27. All employees will receive full pay and benefits during this period. Allbirds’ website will continue to operate as usual. Corporate employees have started working from home. “Now more than ever, we can appreciate how small the world truly is, and the importance of coming together to protect our global community in times of great need,” wrote co-founders Joey Zwillinger and Tim Brown in an Instagram post.
American Dream
American Dream, the second largest mall in the United States, will close on Monday, March 16 through the end of March. The East Rutherford, N.J.-based mall is taking the measure as a preemptive step, as no cases have been reported at American Dream as of this time. “Our hearts go out to all those who have been affected by the outbreak of COVID-19 both in the United States and globally, as well as in our local community. As a shopping and entertainment brand built for the largest and most diverse community in the world, we have a responsibility to keep that community informed and safe,” a statement on the American Dream website reads.
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3.1 Phillip Lim
Yesterday, the brand announced on Instagram that it would be closing four of its six standalone retail stores as a preventative measure to protect the well-being of staff and customers. The stores under temporary shut down are based in New York City, Los Angeles, Honolulu and London. Other stores are located in Shanghai and Tokyo. 3.1 Phillip Lim clarified that, despite the in-store closures, the teams from all four stores would be available via email to help customers with their orders or purchases.
Everlane
Effective Sunday, March 15, Everlane is closing its brick-and-mortar stores for two weeks. “This is a critical moment in the world. With the situation evolving quickly, we must all do our part in slowing the spread of Covid-19,” Everlane wrote in an Instagram statement. The ethical fashion brand will keep its website open for orders and will compensate retail workers while its doors are closed.
King of Prussia Mall
After an initial request from Gov. Wolf’s request that non-essential retail shut down, the King of Prussia Mall shut down on Saturday, Mar. 14, despite earlier resistance. The Pennsylvania mall, the largest on the East Coast, is temporarily closed and Simon Malls, the property owner company, has not yet issued a formal statement on the topic. The governor’s request followed after Montgomery Country confirmed three more cases of coronavirus today, raising the total to 20 reported cases in the region as of this writing.
The streetwear juggernaut announced that the brand would be closing its New York City and London stores until further notice. Supreme left a sign outside of its New York storefront explaining the preventative measure without providing a future reopening date.
Urban Outfitters
In an Instagram post on Saturday, Urban Outfitters announced that all of its stores will be closed until further notice “for the safety and precaution of the community.” The mall staple is still open for business on its website. “We’re proud to call ourselves a part of your local community, and our goal has always been to provide you with safe spaces to come together, laugh and be inspired,” the company wrote. “While we work through these changes, know that we’re here to answer questions, keep you entertained, and to continue to engage with our UO Community however we can.”
Reformation
In a lengthy Instagram post, the sustainability-focused brand announced that the company would be closing all of its physical retail stores. The statement said the brand will provide all of its retail employees with paid time off and will cancel any upcoming events or factory tours, too. Reformation signs off by reminding customers that their products are “available on the Corona-immune Internet” and invited followers to open a dialogue on what they want to hear from fashion brands amid the pandemic.
Patagonia
Patagonia made a bold move on Friday, announcing that all of its operations will end as a protective measure for public health safety. “We will temporarily close our stores, offices and other operations at the end of business on Friday, March 13,” wrote Rose Marcario, CEO and president of Patagonia Inc. on a memo posted on the company’s website. “Employees who can work from home will do so. All Patagonia employees will receive their regular pay during the closure. We apologize that over the next two weeks, there will be delays on orders and customer-service requests. We ask for your understanding and patience.” Marcario added that the company will reassess the strategy and update consumers on March 27.
Nike
Nike announced on Sunday that it will close all of its U.S. stores, as well as its outposts in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Western Europe, from Monday, March 16 through March 27 as it seeks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The Swoosh plans to keep doors open in many other countries, including South Korea, Japan, and most of China, and will fully compensate workers. Additionally, the athletic giant has advised workers at its Beaverton, Ore. headquarters to work remotely and implemented extra safety and cleaning procedures.
Abercrombie
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. announced Sunday that it will temporarily close all of its stores outside of the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region to help limit the spread of Covid-19. Stores in APAC will remain open, and online business will continue. “The decision to close all our stores outside of the APAC region has been done with a focus on the wellbeing of our associates, our customers, our partners, and our communities, and it is in keeping with our commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen,” said CEO Fran Horowitz.
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