full report: Feedback from IADS members on measures to cope with coronavirus

Summary - 10 April 2020

Stores:

Most are closed. Non-food stores remain open. Exceptions are Sogo Hong Kong which are open but with very reduced traffic. SKP in Beijing and Xian have reopened after being closed.

E-commerce, where it is present, is operating well and is sometimes the only source of revenue for businesses. Home delivery has been instituted.

Offices:

Head offices are closed in cases where stores are closed. Staff is working remotely.

Staff:

Different solutions depending on the company and on the government assistance. From temporary lay-offs to furloughs…

Investment projects:

Most are on hold or postponed. Renovations postponed. Some top-priority projects are still alive.

Marketing:

Stopped or postponed. Only email, and social media remain in some cases.

Suppliers:

Reduced supply pipelines. Many orders cancelled or scaled back (especially SS20). For AW20 a range of measures such as reduction, minimum, cancelled etc. Replenishment only to web as appropriate. Some try to support suppliers through rent reductions…

Liquidity:

Will soon become a problem for some.

blog: More initiatives from IADS members during the covid-19 crisis