Store Closings: Retailers Shutting Doors & Modifying Hours to Combat Coronavirus
Updates made 3/20
Retailers are shuttering stores across the globe in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
While some are opting to close doors completely, others are reducing hours or suspending select services.
Their websites remain up and running, however, and many retailers are implementing new strategies to serve customers more safely.
RIS has rounded up the latest information on store closings and will update as needed.
Apple
Apple is closing all retail stores outside of greater China until March 27.
The company’s offices are moving to flexible work arrangements, and it’s implementing health screenings, temperature checks and deep cleaning for those who remain in the offices.
“All of our hourly workers will continue to receive pay in alignment with business as usual operations,” it said in a statement. “We have expanded our leave policies to accommodate personal or family health circumstances created by COVID-19 — including recovering from an illness, caring for a sick loved one, mandatory quarantining, or childcare challenges due to school closures.”
Columbia Sportswear
Columbia is closing all stores in North America through March 27. Its administrative facilities remain open at this time.
The company is offering catastrophic paid leave to its employees most affected by this virus, said Tim Boyle, chair, president and CEO.
Crocs
Crocs is closing all of its company-operated retail stores in North America through March 27. All retail employees will continue to receive pay and benefits for their regularly scheduled shifts during the period.
Many stores are also closed in Europe, but all company-owned stores in greater China have re-opened.
Crocs’ corporate offices remain open, though employees are encouraged to work remotely.
Dollar General
Dollar General is closing all stores one hour earlier than standard close times, beginning March 17, to provide extra time for cleaning and restocking shelves, as well as employee self-care.
In addition, the discount chain is “strongly encouraging” that the first hour of each day be dedicated for the shopping needs of senior customers, who are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19.
Gap Inc.
After initially reducing hours, Gap Inc. said it would close all Old Navy, Athleta, Banana Republic, Gap, Janie and Jack and Intermix stores in North America for two weeks, effective March 19. Impacted store employees will receive pay and benefits during the period.
Guess
Guess is closing all stores in the United States and Canada through March 27. Associates will receive pay and benefits for their scheduled shifts during the period.
Home Depot
The Home Depot is closing stores at 6 p.m. to provide stores with “the ability to staff appropriately,” as well as more time to clean and restock.
“As many items across our store are in high demand, the company's merchants and supply chain teams are prioritizing replenishment and restocking as quickly as possible,” it noted in a statement.
It’s also expanding its paid time off policy so that all hourly full-time associates receive an additional 80 hours of paid sick or personal time, and part-time hourly associates receive an additional 40 hours. Associates who are diagnosed with COVID-19 or advised by health or government officials to self-quarantine will continue to be paid during that time.
Levi Strauss & Co.
Levi’s has closed all owned and operated retail locations in the United States and Canada through March 27. Associates are to be paid for all schedule hours during the closure, and it will continue to operate online.
Lululemon
Lululemon is closing all stores in North America and Europe through March 27. Employees will be paid for the hours that they were scheduled to work, and the company's Global Pay plan will help employees who are directly affected.
Macy’s
Macy’s will close all Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Bluemercury, Macy’s Backstage, Bloomingdales the Outlet and Market by Macy’s stores through March 31. The company will provide benefits and compensation to impacted employees.
Nike
Nike is closing stores in the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand through March 27. Its website and mobile apps will still be functional.
Stores in other countries, including South Korea, Japan and most of China, remain open.
“We are taking additional steps in other Nike-managed facilities, including the option to work from home, staggered work schedules, social distancing and additional safety and cleaning steps to help protect and support our teammates,” the company said in a statement.
Nordstom
Nordstrom is closing all stores in the United States and Canada for two weeks, effective March 17. This includes Nordstrom Rack, Trunk Club clubhouses and Jeffrey. Associates will receive pay and benefits during this period.
It is still providing online order pickup and curbside services at its full-line stores.
Patagonia
Patagonia has closed all stores and offices until at least March 27, at which time it will reassess the situation. Employees able to work remotely will do so, and all associates will receive regular pay, said Rose Marcario, CEO and president.
Publix
The grocer is closing stores and pharmacies at 8 p.m. to allow for more time to sanitize stores and restock shelves.
REI
REI has closed all 162 retail stores through March 27. All employees will be paid during the closure, said Eric Artz, president and CEO of the co-op.
All website orders will receive free shipping while stores are closed.
Starbucks
Starbucks is closing and/or reducing operating hours of company-owned stores in malls, university campuses and areas with clusters of COVID-19.
It’s also, as of March 15, shifting operations to a “to go” model for at least two weeks. Consumers can order beverages via the app, drive-through or delivery, but the company is suspending seating areas and modifying condiment bars and hand-off areas.
Target
Target is closing all stores at 9 p.m. to allow for cleaning and restocking. The company is also reserving the first hour of shopping on Wednesdays for vulnerable consumers.
TJX Companies
TJX is closing all of its stores in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia for two weeks, as of March 19. The company operates T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra and Homesense storefronts.
It’s also temporarily closing its online businesses tjmaxx.com, marshalls.com and sierra.com, as well as its distribution centers and offices. Associates who can work remotely will have the ability to do so, and all associates will be paid for the two weeks.
Under Armour
Under Armour will close all stores in North America from Monday through March 28, CNBC reported.
VF Corporation
VF Corp. is closing all of its owned retail stores in North America through April 5. All associates will receive full pay and benefits.
Its corporate and brand offices in North America are also closing, with employees working remotely.
“The temporary closure of both offices and retail locations may be extended depending on the overall state of the COVID-19 situation,” the company notes in a statement.
It’s closed all offices and retail store locations in mainland Europe until further notice; locations in the United Kingdom are operating on reduced hours. Offices in greater China are open as are about 90% of its retail stores.
“VF’s supply chain operations have experienced limited disruption to date as a result of the COVID-19 situation,” the statement notes. “Ongoing diversification efforts, such as re-directing manufacturing and materials sourcing, are underway in an attempt to mitigate potential future disruption. While it is not possible to gauge the full impact to VF’s supply chain at this time, VF continues to believe its global supply chain represents a key competitive advantage during periods of uncertainty and market volatility.”
Vineyard Vines
Vineyard Vines’ 100-plus freestanding retail stores are closed through March 27. Associates will be paid for any previously scheduled shifts, the company said, and corporate employees who can remotely have been asked to do so until further notice.
Walmart
Walmart is reducing hours at all stores and Neighborhood Markets to 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. until further notice.
William-Sonoma
Williams-Sonoma has closed all stores in the United States and Canada through April 2. It is still providing curbside and ship-from-store services where local regulations permit.
