As coronavirus continues to spread, the disease’s impact on the fashion world is ongoing. Following the cancellations of numerous fashion weeks and the news that the Met Gala may be under review, now retailers have also begiun to announce closures.
Following Trump’s announcement that the US was in a state of emergency as of Friday (March 13), the likes of Supreme, Nike, and Urban Outfitters have all closed their doors in response to the pandemic.
Actioned in an attempt to help stop the spreading of the virus, Supreme said in a statement, “We are closed temporarily to ensure the health and safety of customers and staff.” Elsewhere Urban Outfitters has closed its doors until ‘further notice’, while Nike, which shuttered its corporate headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon two weeks ago, will also be closing its stores until March 27.
With most of these actions taking place across Northern America and Western Europe, other retailers to follow this procedure include Patagonia, which has also shut off its website to prohibit online ordering. Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, and Lululemon have also closed their doors.
While most of the brands, including Urban Outfitters, Nike, and Patagonia, having disclosed that their staff will be compensated, it is yet to be seen what effect this will have on the companies and the fashion industry at large.
Elsewhere, the Russian Fashion Council has cancelled its upcoming Fashion Week, set to take place March 31 through till April 4, and will host the events online instead. “We are moving all activities of this Fashion Week to an online-only basis for this season,” said Alexander Shumsky, president of Russian Fashion Council. “That way, we can guarantee a non-contact, completely safe way to provide our designers with the showcase space they need for this season.”
