Retailers Close Stores Around Globe To Curb Coronavirus Spread

By Donna Ahern
Retailers Close Stores Around Globe To Curb Coronavirus Spread

Retailers have been closing stores around the globe to reduce the risk of transmission of the coronavirus, which has killed over 6,500 and infected more than 174,000 while disrupting supply and production chains.

AB FOODS

The British diversified food processing and retailing company shut 74 of its Primark fashion stores across Italy, France, Spain and Austria in mid-March.

APPLE

Apple said on March 14 it is closing all its retail stores, except those in Greater China, for two weeks.

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FNAC DARTY SA

The France-based retailer of cultural, leisure and technological products closed all its stores in Spain starting from March 14.

GAP INC

Clothes retailer said on March it was temporarily reducing store hours for all U.S. and Canadian locations, and closing over 100 stores.

H&M

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The world's second-biggest fashion retailer said in mid-March it was temporarily closing stores in 12 more markets, as it reported a 24% quarterly sales slump in China.

INDITEX

Zara owner Inditex temporarily closed its stores in Spain from 14 March, Europa Press said, citing company sources.

IKEA

Ikea said on 12 March it would temporarily close its stores and shopping centers in Italy.

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KINGFISHER

The home improvement group has closed its 221 Castorama and Brico Dépôt stores in France until 14 April, while its 28 stores in Spain have also shut until 29 March.

LULULEMON

The sportswear company closed its stores in North America and Europe from 16 March until 27 March.

NIKE INC

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The U.S. maker of athletic footwear and accessories will close all of its stores across the U.S., Canada, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand by 27 March, it said on 15 March.

PANDORA

The Danish jeweller said in early March it had shut 30 of its 148 shops in Italy, its third largest single market.

T-MOBILE US INC

The company said it would temporary close stores located in a shopping mall starting March 16.

UNDER ARMOUR

Under Armour shuttered all North America stores from March 16 for about two weeks.

URBAN OUTFITTERS

The apparel retailer which owns brands including Anthropologie and Free People, closed all its stores worldwide until at least 28 March.

VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC

The company temporarily closed a number of its U.S. stores to expand its work from home policy to some of its retail employees.

VF CORP

North Face owner closed all owned retail stores across North America from 16 March to 5 April.

News by Reuters, edited by Donna Ahern, Checkout. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.

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