Adidas Are Closing Stores Across The Globe In Reaction To COVID-19, Backtracking On A Previous Statement

As the COVID-19 continues to sweep the globe, it is having an effect on the way in which many of us live our lives. With food shortages and lockdowns in place across many countries, global businesses are making important decisions in closing their stores. Adidas has become the next brand to announce store closures following the examples of Nike, Glossier and Urban Outfitters.

Adidas released a statement announcing the closure of all stores in North America and selected stores in Western Europe will also close. The statement comes several days after the sportswear giant sent out an email that they would remain open despite the escalation of the situation surrounding the virus. The email stated that “Closing down is easy. Staying open in a healthy environment requires courage, persistence, and focus”, however, many hit back calling the statement ‘tone-deaf’. 

One of the main reasons that businesses have struggled to balance staying open for business and not contributing to the spreading of the virus is because there has been uncertainty of whether staff will be paid throughout the closure. CNBC reporter Jess Golden has announced on twitter that “retail employees will continue to receive payment for all hours they’ve been scheduled to work during the closures”.

Following their original statement, @Adidas has changed course and will now close retail locations from March 17-29.

I've reached out to see if retail employees will be compensated during the two week closure. pic.twitter.com/eg7gosOv4i

— Jacques Slade (@kustoo) March 18, 2020

adidas will not close any stores due to COVID-19. CEO says in letter to employees: “Closing down is easy, staying open in a healthy environment requires courage, persistence and focus." This is a bit...disturbinghttps://t.co/QyvsFpI2bB pic.twitter.com/fd5QDmfG3s

— Sneaker News (@SneakerNews) March 16, 2020

Next up, Virgil Abloh & Vogue Create Your COVID-19 Lockdown Playlist