Kering: All Of The Luxury Group’s Stores In The U.S. And Canada Will Close

UNITED STATES — And now we could add Kering to the list of store closure and events being canceled or postponed due to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus!

The luxury group confirmed on Tuesday that all of its currently opened stores in the United States and Canada will close by end of day of today in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Some stores under the group’s umbrella have already closed. All will remain shuttered for two weeks. Gucci, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Brioni and Pomellato are among the brands impacted by the decision.

“The safety and well-being of our employees is unequivocally our number-one priority,” Kering said in a statement. “Given the fluidity of the situation, our goal as an organization has been to actively address our employees first with any decisions being made before the general public.”

This decision was made jointly by Kering leadership and that of its member houses. Impacted employees will be paid through the closure period, during which e-commerce will not be interrupted. “Our houses will continue to serve their clients through their websites, and our New Jersey distribution center will remain open to support our e-commerce operations,” the statement offered, noting that extra precautions are underway to safeguard workers involved in those operations. “Enhanced safety measures have been implemented for these employees. We have also heightened hygiene protocols and are practicing social distancing within the facilities.”

Kering acknowledged its complicated fluidity. “We are actively monitoring the situation and will reassess as it progresses,” the statement said. “We are encouraging all Kering employees to use this time to stay home, practice social distancing and to do their part as a global citizen to curb the spread of this dangerous virus.”

PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR OUR LATEST CANCELED EVENTS AND STORES CLOSING DUE TO THE WORLDWIDE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRIS:

French multinational chain of personal care and beauty stores Sephora is closing U.S. and Canada stores as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, due to concerns around coronavirus (see it here).

Tiffany & Co., Hudson’s Bay Co. and the Neiman Marcus Group late Tuesday joined the long list of of brands shuttering their North American stores in response to the coronavirus crisis (see it here).

Macy’s Inc. and Swedish fast fashion clothing company H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) has been added to the long list of retailers closing and events being either canceled or postponed due to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus (see it here).

Today Tuesday March 17, we officially reported that Chanel has decided to cancel its cruise show, due to take place on May 7, to ensure the well-being of its guests and teams during the current coronavirus outbreak (see it here).

Due to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus, Bergdorf Goodman and the Neiman Marcus store in Hudson Yards closed today, joining the rapidly growing list of coronavirus-related store closings around the country (see it here).

Yesterday Monday March 16, Nordstrom said it was closing all of its full-line department stores, Rack stores, Jeffrey and Trunk Club locations in the U.S. and Canada for two weeks starting March 17, and Saks Fifth Avenue said it was closing its Manhattan flagship and its store in Bala Cynwyd outside Philadelphia for up to two weeks.

Abercrombie & Fitch, J. Crew, Madewell, Vince, Lands’ End, Footlocker and Vineyard Vines are among the specialty chains that have announced mass temporary closings due to the coronavirus.

On Monday, DM Fashion Book announced that due to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus, Chanel has decided to postpone its replica show of the Paris — 31 Rue Cambon2019/20 Métiers d’art collection, which was due to take place in London on June 4 (see it here) and Dior has postponed indefinitely their upcoming cruise show. The show was due to take place in Italy on May 9 (see it here).

On March 16, we also announced that Met Gala joined the long list of events being postponed amid coronavirus fears including Prada (see it here) and Hermès (see it here).

STAY TUNED TO DM FASHION BOOK AS WE UPDATE STORIES CONSTANTLY!

Photos Credit: Courtesy of Kering