The global spread of coronavirus is continuously making a negative impact on the fashion industry. The outbreak has compelled major brands to shut their stores, cut their operating hours, and even postponed and canceled major fashion events. This has impacted the sales of fashion-based retailers in North America and across the globe.
VF Corporation on 17 March 2020, announced to shutter all of its owned retail stores across North America until April 5. All the company’s retailer employees in North America are provided with full pay during the temporary closure period. Besides, all the corporate and brand offices in North America will be closed until April 5. Moreover, this temporary closure may be extended according to the COVID-19 situation.
The decision in North America is consistent with similar operational decisions made in its EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions. VF Corporation in mainland Europe closed all offices and retail store locations until further notice while its offices in the UK are running on reduced hours.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the company closed the majority of its offices and retail locations. Currently, the offices in China are open and around 90% of the retail store locations of the company are open for business. Though retail store traffic has improved steadily over the last month, it is don when compared to the last year. The offices and retail locations of the company in South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan are open but are operating on reduced hours.
The digital platform of the company remains a high priority through which the brands of the company remain connected with its customers and provide experiential content and service. The company has implemented measures for ensuring the health and safety of employees working in its distribution and fulfillment centers across the globe. These facilities remain operational to enable the engagement of digital customers with its brands and to provide services to its retail partners as required.
