Zara owner, the Inditex fashion group, announced that its factories and logistics teams will now be creating and donating surgical face masks for medical workers and coronavirus patients – adding to a long list of retailers shifting resources to help fight the pandemic.
Inditex is also writing off €287 Million of its inventories, which has caused the group to temporarily close half its shops, and is now focusing resources on helping the fight against coronavirus.
The company shared that they “will make a delivery at least once a week of materials they purchase directly.” It also added that Inditex has “already donated 10,000 protective face masks and by the end of this week expects to be in a position to ship another 300,000 surgical masks.”
The distribution of masks is well underway as the company is still in the process of sourcing medical grade fabric for hospital gowns. “We are investigating the possibility of switching some of our textile-manufacturing capacity over to the production of health materials,” they stated.
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Fast Fashion Brands Fast to Get Hurt?
Inditex and H&M, the two fast-fashion giants, could actually be the two brands most vulnerable to the spread of the pandemic, according to some analysts.
Since most of their clothing is made in China and around, the coronavirus is throwing the supply chain off by forcing factory closures around the country. Even as China recovers, the factories will not be working in full capacity.
Additionally, UBS estimated that Inditex had the highest share of sales from China at 8.7%, with H&M trailing just behind at 6.1%. It added that retailers with high stock turnover “are likely to be impacted sooner than those with low stock turn.”
Help Is On Its Way
Zara isn’t the only one taking action right now. Numerous fashion brands are initiating creative ways to combat the spread of Covid-19.
The luxury conglomerate, LVMH, has begun converting its cosmetics factories into hand sanitizer producers. It is distributing hand gels to local hospitals in France and other health authorities in response to shortages.
Italian fashion influencer, Chiara Ferragni and her husband Fedez, helped raise over €4 Million for coronavirus intensive care units in Italy.
Last week, the cosmetics giant L’Oréal leapt to humanity’s aid by offering up its factories to produce hand sanitizer.
In the wake of schools temporarily closing down, and needy families relying on subsidized lunch meals, some designers are donating to organizations like No Kid Hungry to fight child hunger.
Also, it was announced on Saturday that Hanes will start making masks for health care professionals treating coronavirus.
What other creative measures will we see retailers take next? As the pandemic continues to spread globally, we must applaud all brands who take any such initiative.
