BoF is keeping tabs on the cancellations and closures sweeping the industry as brands, retailers and event producers grapple with how to manage the Covid-19 pandemic.
As governments tighten their efforts to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic, fashion brands and retailers are scrambling to manage the fallout. Runway shows and events planned in Asia where the virus first hit were cancelled or postponed early on, but as the disease continues to spread globally, the impact is likely to be much longer and deeper than many had initially expected. France, Italy and Spain are among the countries that have imposed tight restrictions on their citizens’ movement and closed non-essential stores, even as stores in China have been gradually re-opening over the last few weeks.
BoF is keeping tabs on how brands are responding:
Store Closures
Adidas: Closed all Adidas-owned and Reebok-owned stores in Europe, the US and Canada until March 29. Retail employees to continue to receive pay for scheduled hours. E-commerce stores remain open.
Allbirds: Closed stores in Europe and the US until March 27. All employees continue to receive full pay and benefits. E-commerce remains open.
Chanel: Temporarily closed all boutiques in the US. Halted production and shut manufacturing sites in France, Italy and Switzerland. Employees will continue to receive pay.
Everlane: Closed physical stores. Offering compensation to retail employees. E-commerce remains open.
Gap Inc: Stores closed across North America. Employees will receive continued pay and benefit. E-commerce remains open.
Glossier: Closed all permanent and temporary retail locations for at least two weeks from March 13. Delayed store opening in Arizona. E-commerce remains open.
H&M Group: Temporarily closed stores in the US and across large parts of Europe, including Italy, France, Spain and Germany. E-commerce channels still in operation.
J.C. Penney: Closed all stores, which are scheduled to reopen April 2.
Kering: Closed all stores in US and Canada. Retail employees to continue to receive pay. E-commerce remains in operation.
Levi’s: Closed all retail locations in the United States and Canada until March 27. Retail employees continue to receive pay for scheduled hours. E-commerce remains in operation.
Lululemon: Reduced store hours from March 16 and cancelled in-store workout classes.
Neiman Marcus: Closed all stores for at least two weeks. All store associates will receive pay and benefits through this period. E-commerce remains open.
Nike: Closed stores in the US, Canada, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand until March 27. E-commerce, and stores in Japan, South Korea, most of China and many other countries remain open as normal.
Nordstrom: Stores in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico closed for two weeks as of Tuesday, March 17. Store employees continue to receive pay and benefits. E-commerce remains open.
Patagonia: Shuttered its stores and headquarters in North America, as well as stores and offices in Argentina, Chile, Japan and across Europe. All employees to continue to receive regular pay. The company is not currently taking orders on its website.
PVH: Closed retail stores across Europe and North America until March 29. Store employees to continue to receive full pay and enhanced benefits. E-commerce remains open.
Ralph Lauren: All stores in the US and UK, and all hospitality properties in the US and Europe — including the Polo Bar in New York City and Ralph’s in Paris — are closed temporarily. Store employees to receive full pay for the temporary closure, envisaged at two weeks. E-commerce remains open.
Reformation: Closed stores; cancelled all planned events and factory tours. Retail teams to receive paid time off. E-commerce remains open.
Saks Fifth Avenue: Closed stores in US and Canada for two weeks. Employees will be paid for scheduled hours during the period. E-commerce remains open.
Selfridges: Temporarily closing all stores across the UK, effective 7pm March 18.
Sephora: Closed all stores in the US and Canada until April 3. E-commerce remains open.
Supreme: Temporarily closed stores, including London and New York locations.
Tapestry: Temporarily closed all Kate Spade, Coach and Stuart Weitzman stores in Europe and North America until March 27. Employees will receive scheduled pay and benefits during the period. E-commerce remains in operation.
Under Armour: Closed stores in North America until March 28. Employees to continue to receive pay. E-commerce remains open.
Untuckit: Closed all stores in the US, Canada and the UK until March 31. Store associates will receive full pay and benefits.
Urban Outfitters: Closed all stores worldwide until at least March 28. Employees will continue to receive pay. E-commerce remains open.
VF Corp: Closed all stores across North America until April 5. All retail employees to continue to receive full pay and benefits during the period. Stores in mainland Europe are also closed. E-commerce remains open.
Victoria’s Secret: Closed all stores in the US and Canada until March 29. All employees will continue to receive pay. E-commerce remains open.
Walmart: Some stores working reduced hours to allow more time to restock and sanitise.
Warby Parker: Closed all stores through March 27. Retail team continues to receive pay. E-commerce remains open.
3.1 Phillip Lim: Closed retail locations in New York, LA, London and Waikiki until further notice. E-commerce remains open.
Cancelled or Postponed Runway Shows
Giorgio Armani hosted A/W 2020 runway show in Milan behind closed doors.
Armani Cruise 2021 scheduled to show in Dubai in April was pushed to November.
Dior has postponed its Cruise 2021 show, which was scheduled to take place on May 9th in Lecce, Italy.
Ralph Lauren A/W 2020 originally planned to show in April in New York was cancelled.
Hermès Cruise 2021, originally scheduled for April 28 in London was cancelled.
Prada Cruise 2021, originally scheduled for May 7 in Tokyo was postponed.
Versace Cruise 2021 originally scheduled for May 16 in the US was postponed.
Gucci Cruise 2021, originally scheduled for San Francisco on May 18 was cancelled.
Max Mara Cruise 2021, originally scheduled for May 25 in St. Petersburg was cancelled.
Chanel replica Métiers d’Art shows scheduled for May in Beijing and June in London were postponed; London haute couture show scheduled for March 26 postponed.
Cancelled or Postponed Events
Shanghai Fashion Week: Postponed indefinitely in February.
China Fashion Week: Postponed indefinitely in February.
Tokyo Fashion Week: March event called off earlier in the month.
Seoul Fashion Week: March event cancelled in February.
Moscow Fashion Week: Cancelled March event earlier in the month.
New York Bridal Week: The CFDA and Bridal Council have strongly advised designers to postpone events or show collections digitally.
Met Gala: Postponed indefinitely.
Coachella: Postponed until October.
South by Southwest: Cancelled.
Baselworld: Postponed to early next year.
Salone del Mobile: Postponed until June.
Copenhagen Fashion Summit: Postponed until October.
London Bridal Fashion Week: Postponed until June.
Frieze New York: Cancelled.
Factory Closures
Giorgio Armani temporarily closed all the group’s offices and plants in Italy.
Gucci closed its Italian factories until March 20, including six sites located between Tuscany and Marche.
Rolex has temporarily closed its watch factories in Switzerland until March 27.
*Source BOF
