As a precautionary public safety measure during the coronavirus pandemic, many businesses and services across the United States announced that they will temporarily shutter their doors. These include Nike, Under Armour and Urban Outfitters. Several states and major U.S. cities, such as Illinois, Massachusetts, Washington state, New York City and Los Angeles, have also ordered bars and restaurants to close for the time being, except for take-out services.
Not every company is closing up shop, however. Major department stores are staying open for now, as are big-box stores. According to NPD Group analyst Beth Goldstein, these large retail chains may be staying open “because they need to figure out how to manage the situation with employees and how to deal with goods that are likely still flowing in.”
“Not that all of the retailers that are closing are small players, but it’s easier to manage your own supply chain in a DTC environment than it is in a wholesale environment,” Goldstein told FN. “Maybe they are figuring out the logistical aspects of staffing up the online operations, and/or maybe they are trying to figure out if they can keep any stores open in certain areas.”
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Below, FN rounds up some of the major fashion and footwear retailers that are open for business for now.
Adidas
Update March 17, 12:50 p.m.: Adidas and Reebok stores in the U.S. and Canada will be closed beginning Tuesday, March 17, while European units will close on March 18, the company announced today. Stores will be shut through March 29. Retail workers will be paid for all hours they were scheduled to work during the closure period.
While several of Adidas’ biggest competitors are closing a majority of their stores, the company has decided it will remain open and suspend brick-and-mortar operations depending on “official regulations.”
“At Adidas, the health and safety of our employees, consumers and partners is our number one priority. In an effort to create a safe work environment in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and to help limit the spread of the coronavirus, we continue to act upon the applicable local authorities’ directives across all Adidas offices, retail and distribution center locations globally. This means that in some regions, Adidas-owned stores are closing temporarily, depending on official regulations. We have a dedicated task force team in place and will continue to monitor the situation closely and take additional measures if necessary,” the company said in an email statement to FN on Monday.
DSW
Update March 18, 8:30 a.m.: DSW stores closed temporarily effective March 17. Stores associates will receive pay for scheduled shifts during this time.
DSW on Monday celebrated the launch of the JLo Jennifer Lopez shoe line, which is available exclusively in the retailer’s physical stores and on its site. DSW stores remain open and the company proceeded with feting the line, however, it has postponed a pop-up shop in New York City due to “COVID-19 concerns around large group gatherings.” While the line is live online and in stores now, Goldstein said the brand is likely to be negatively impacted by the coronavirus situation. “Maybe there will be enough excitement about the brand to drive some online sales, but in general I don’t think consumers are thinking about spring dress footwear right now,” she told FN.
Gap
Update March 18, 8:30 a.m.: Effective March 19, Gap will close all stores in North America across the Old Navy, Athleta, Banana Republic, Gap, Janie and Jack and Intermix nameplates. The company did not specify a reopen date.
Gap Inc. stores remain open for business, but due to the evolving coronavirus situation, Gap Inc. announced reduced hours across its brands. Old Navy, Athleta and Banana Republic locations will operate on a pared-down schedule beginning on March 16. The company also said it will close some stores based on guidance from government officials and health authorities.
JCPenney
Update March 18, 3:30 p.m.: JCPenney announced that its stores and business offices will be closed through April 2. “With the effects of the outbreak being felt more each day, our primary concern and area of focus is and has been on the health and safety of our associates, our customers, and our communities,” said CEO Jill Soltau.
JCPenney has reduced its hours amid the coronavirus outbreak. Beginning March 17 and until further notice, stores will be open from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday; it has shuttered its six outposts in Puerto Rico due to a government mandate. Our focus remains on the safety and well-being of our associates and customers,” said Jill Soltau, CEO of JCPenney, in a release. “With the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak being felt more each day, we want to do everything we can to prevent the spread of this virus and keep our associates, customers, and communities safe.”
Kohl’s
Most Kohl’s stores are currently open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The retailer says it has “comprehensive” cleaning and sanitization procedures in place for all of its facilities, and that it has asked employees who are experiencing flu-like symptoms to go home. “We are confident that we are taking appropriate steps to keep our stores safe for our customers and associates,” CEO Michelle Gass said in a statement. “Our team is working hard to maintain a clean shopping environment to promote the health and safety of all who depend on us.”
Macy’s
Update March 17, 3 p.m.: Macy’s has decided to shutter stores across all banners through March 31. The company said it will provide benefits and compensation to its impacted workforce.
Macy’s Inc. stores remain open across the Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s banners for now. In a statement, Chairman and CEO Jeff Gennette said the company has “put in place enhanced cleaning measures including additional cleaning staff in each store during open hours,” with more frequent cleaning across heavily trafficked areas, such as checkout stands, escalators and bathrooms. The retailer is prepared to shutter individual stores and facilities on a case-by-case basis, and it said it has enacted a COVID-19 policy to ensure that employees who are infected with the virus or are ordered to quarantine will continue to receive compensation.
Nordstrom
Update March 17, 9:15 a.m.: Nordstrom is closing its entire fleet of stores for two weeks due to the coronavirus, the chain announced Tuesday night. The retailer will continue to pay employees and provide them full benefits during this time.
Some Nordstrom stores have cut back their hours or temporarily closed based on local guidance, but most of the retailer’s 380 stores remain open for business. In a note to customers this month, CEO Erik Nordstrom and President and Chief Brand Officer Pete Nordstrom said that the chain’s stores are cleaned and sanitized daily but that “the frequency and extent of those cleanings” has increased amid the outbreak. Hand sanitizer is also available throughout the stores, and the company is ensuring that employees have the necessary resources to remain healthy.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Update March 17, 3:25 p.m.: Hudson’s Bay will close all stores for a two-week period effective immediately, the company announced today. Associates will be paid for shifts they were scheduled to work.
Update March 17, 9:15 a.m.: Saks Fifth Avenue is shutting down outposts in New York and Philadelphia for up to two weeks due to the coronavirus, a representative said. The retailer will pay workers for all scheduled hours during this time.
Canada-based retailer Hudson’s Bay Company will keep stores under the Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue nameplates open for the time being. However, the company has adjusted Saks’ hours depending on location; customers can check hours for their local store by visiting Saks.com. Hudson’s Bay is operating on a reduced schedule and will now be open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The company “is continuing to monitor the evolving COVID-19 situation,” a spokesperson told FN.
Target
Target this weekend announced it intends to keep open all 1,800-plus stores nationwide. However, the big-box chain, which would be exempt from mandatory closures because it sells essentials such as groceries, is taking additional steps to ensure cleanliness, including adding payroll hours to clean more thoroughly, sanitizing checkout lanes and touchscreens at least every 30 minutes and eliminating food sampling. The retailer has also placed limits on certain high-in-demand items, such as toilet paper and water bottles. “At the center of our company’s purpose is a commitment to help all families, and it’s something we take to heart in good times and bad. This is why we’ll be working hard to keep our stores open so we can be there to support you and your families,” CEO and Chairman Brian Cornell said in a statement.
Walmart
Like Target, Walmart is exempt from current bans because it carries essentials. The Arkansas-based chain has decreased hours at some of its stores for the time being to allow for more frequent restocking as well as cleaning and sanitizing amid the coronavirus outbreak. Despite the adjustment in hours, COO and EVP Dacona Smith assured customers that “associates will continue to work the hours and shifts they are scheduled, and our supply chain and trucking fleet will continue to move products and deliver [goods] to stores on their regular schedules.” The company has also implemented emergency leave procedures for now to prevent sick associates from coming into work, including waiving its attendance policy and ensuring up to two weeks pay for employees under quarantine.
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