Urban Outfitters, Nike, and 9 other major retailers are temporarily closing its stores in an unprecedented move to prevent the spread of the coronavirus
Urban Outfitters announced on March 14 it will temporarily close all of its store locations "until further notice," according to a notice posted on its website. The closures are effective beginning March 15, and employees at the company's more than 200 stores in the US, Canada, and Europe will be paid for lost shifts.
"As far as we know, none of our employees have tested positive for COVID-19," the company wrote on its website. "Stores will not reopen until at least March 28 and because the situation is complex and evolving rapidly, our plans may change. And if they do, we'll let you know."
Anthropologie — a sister brand of Urban Outfitters and also owned by the parent company URBN — announced on March 14 that it will additionally close its doors through at least March 28. Like Urban Outfitters, all employees will be compensated for missed shifts, according to the company website.
"It is our commitment to keep our Anthro community healthy & safe," Anthropologie wrote in an Instagram post shared on Saturday. "We'd love for you to help shape our community's conversation in the days and weeks to come. Please reach out to us and share your thoughts – we're here for you. Look out for one another, and be well. We'll see you soon."
Free People, a fellow URBN company, will join Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie in temporarily shuttering stores through at least the end of the month and will pay employees during this time.
"Please know that, in spite of these current events, we remain dedicated to helping you however we can," the company wrote on Instagram. "Whether you have questions about a pending order or shipment, where to find a coveted dress, or are simply looking for someone to talk to, we are always here for you."
In a letter to customers published on March 15, Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Fran Horowitz announced that the company will close all stores outside of the Asia-Pacific region indefinitely.
"It goes without saying that our thoughts are with everyone affected by the global outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), and that's why we've decided to close all our stores to help contain the spread," Horowitz wrote.
Horowitz did not note if store employees will be compensated during the closures, though a spokesperson for Abercrombie & Fitch told Business Insider "all our stores associates will continue to receive pay in alignment with business as usual operations."
Horowitz did not provide an estimated re-open date, but the e-commerce site is still operating and the company is "maximizing cleaning measures" at distribution centers "to ensure safe product shipping," she said.
Hollister and Gilly Hicks — both brands owned by the Abercrombie & Fitch Corporation — will also temporarily shutter all stores outside of the Asia-Pacific region as part of companywide store closures.
"Our decisions are made in accordance with health organizations and government authorities, and are driven by our brand's mission to meet you where you are and maintain the safety of our community, as we all look forward to a healthy, confident future together," Horowitz wrote in the letter to costumers.
In an email sent to shoppers on March 14, Everlane announced it will close its retail locations until March 28 and will compensate its retail team during this period.
"This is a critical moment in the world," the email states. "With the situation evolving quickly, we must all do our part in slowing the spread of COIV-19. So today, we are taking the next step to protect the safety of our community."
Everlane's online store will remain open, and its website includes a note about how it's protecting employees at factories and distribution centers.
"All factory workers have paid sick leave and are required to stay at home if they are unwell," Everlane wrote on its website. "Additionally, each factory is ensuring stringent hygiene for the safety of everyone with measures such as setting up sanitizing stations at each workstation and throughout the workplace, temperature checking, and providing education on health and safety."
Glossier was the first of the US retailers to close up shop, announcing on March 13 that it would halt business at its New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta stores for the next two weeks. In a letter to customers on Friday, CEO and founder Emily Weiss wrote that all employees will be compensated.
"This is a tough call for many reasons," Weiss wrote. "In our New York City flagship alone, 2,000 people gather daily from around the world, often lining up down the block to connect with Glossier and with one another."
Patagonia followed suit shortly after Glossier, announcing later that afternoon that it will not only close all its stores but also temporarily stop taking new online orders until at least March 16. Store closures officially began Friday afternoon and will continue through March 27 at the earliest.
"We apologize that over the next two weeks, there will be delays on orders and customer-service requests," Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario said in a message published on the company's website. "We ask for your understanding and patience."
Reformation wrote in an Instagram post on March 14 that it will temporarily close stores and will pay retail employees during this period.
"Guys, by now we are all aware of the severity of COVID-19, and probably exhausted from the anxiety of it all," the Instagram reads. "To make sure we do whatever we can to help contain the virus, we will be closing all of our stores for now. Our retail teams will be given paid time off. All planned events and factory tours have been canceled as well."
In an unprecedented move for the tech retailer, Apple announced on March 14 it will close all stores outside of Greater China until at least March 27. Apple CEO Tim Cook announced at the time that the company will also donate $14 million to coronavirus relief efforts.
Nike was one of the latest retailers to announce closings. On March 15, the retail giant said that it will close all stores in the US, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand through March 27. The closures come two weeks after the athletic company shuttered its corporate headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon and mandated that employees work from home. A Nike spokesperson told CNBC that all staffers will be compensated during this time.
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