The Global Apparel Industry Is Close To A Halt: The Major Brands Are Closing The Whole Line.

As the epidemic continues to increase, Apple announced last week that it would close all retail outlets outside the Greater China region. When it comes to resuming business, it will take a look at the specific circumstances. It is tentatively scheduled for March 27th.

What is particularly noteworthy is the US market. The US retail industry, which was already in a difficult position, has closed more than 1.5 stores this year.

Statistics show that in 2019, the total number of stores in the United States reached 9300, breaking the record of about 8000 stores closed in 2017, including Vitoria's secret, GAP, Forever 21 and other brands.

The report released last October by Credit Suisse predicts that the risk of US retail stores closing in 2020 will be even worse.

With the global spread of the epidemic, major retailers in the clothing retailing industry have announced the global temporary closure plan.

Us Nike decided to store all stores in the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand in from March 16th to 27th to avoid the spread of new coronaviruses. Stores in most areas of Korea, Japan and China will be open and will continue to operate normally, while consumers can shop through official website and Nike App. For headquarters staff, Nike will provide home office and peak shift offices, while increasing cleaning and disinfection in the workplace to protect employees' health and safety.

In the latest report, Nike group's fourth quarter sales will drop 34%, which is down 3 billion 500 million from the same period last year, or 4 cents per share or loss, in the latest report, which is expected to be affected by the closure of large stores, the suspension of NBA, the delay of NFL and the disruption of supply chain. Woozle Research estimates Nike group's losses in the next 3 to 6 months or more than $5 billion 500 million.

According to a survey conducted by 120 major wholesalers and distributors in Nike, China, Europe and North America, the global sales of the sports giant from mid February to March 10th have dropped by 21%.

Canadian apparel brand lululemon issued a statement recently that all stores in North America and Europe will be suspended in from March 16th to 27th to prevent further spread of the epidemic. However, the brand emphasizes that it will provide sports courses for consumers through online channels. At present, lululemon stores in mainland China have gradually resumed business.

The street store Supreme in New York, San Francisco, Losangeles, London, Paris and Japan has been suspended for a long time, only to retain the official website's e-commerce business to prevent and reduce staff and visiting consumers to infect the virus. Supreme stressed that the 2020 spring and summer new products will be sold online as usual.

Gucci temporarily closes all the production facilities of the brand in Italy until March 20th, but will continue to maintain the necessary activities to ensure continuity of business and will not affect the brand to provide products to customers. Gucci will be closed to all physical stores in Italy until April 3rd, and the official website of the brand will operate as usual. In order to ensure the safety of employees, Gucci currently requires Italy employees to work flexibly and change their working periods from Monday to Thursday.

Giorgio Armani group decided to temporarily close its luxury hotels, restaurants and all boutiques in Milan, but did not disclose more specific information. The brand holiday series, which was originally scheduled for from April 19th to 20th in Dubai, has been postponed to November. After the Milan fashion week, Giorgio Armani's headquarters and production centers in Milan have been closed.

Zara parent Inditex group recently announced its official telecommuting operation at its headquarters in Spain, to protect the health and safety of its employees.

At the same time, the group also said it would announce its annual performance as planned in March 18th, but canceled the on-site earnings conference. The media and analysts could only listen to the financial report by teleconference. According to Credit Suisse Bank, Inditex group's first quarter sales or 1.7% decline in the epidemic, sales in Italy will drop 12%.

Fast fashion Primark said recently that its stores in France, Spain and Austria have been shut down until the policy allows them to reopen. Although the stores in the UK have not been closed, the traffic volume in the past two weeks has also decreased significantly. Nevertheless, Primark remains cautiously optimistic about the future, and stresses that the supply chain has no problems. It is expected that the performance in the first half of February 24th will exceed expectations.

In addition, Allbirds announced that all stores in Europe and the United States were closed before March 27th, and that business hours in stores in the United States and Canada began to decrease in March 16th from Gap. More than 100 shops will be temporarily closed in areas most affected by the epidemic.

H&M group: temporarily closed most stores in Europe, including Italy, France and Spain, and Glossier: has closed all permanent and temporary retail stores for at least two weeks since March 13th. Arizona has delayed opening stores, and Levi's has temporarily closed all its retail stores in the United States and Canada from Monday, March 16th, and is expected to remain closed until March 27th.