More major U.S. retailers responded overnight to coronavirus by temporarily closing their stores beginning Tuesday, and others that sell necessary items such as food and other consumables shortened hours.
The new round of closings is mostly apparel and fashion retailers who reminded customers that their online stores are open. These are difficult decisions for an industry populated with several vulnerable retail companies with high levels of debt and dependent on consumers being out there shopping.
Neiman Marcus decided late Tuesday to temporarily close all of its stores, including Bergdorf Goodman in New York and all Last Call stores, for two weeks. The Dallas-based retailer said it will continue to pay all employees.
Neiman Marcus is also stepping up the rollout of a new mobile selling tool that will help store employees keep in touch with their clients. CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck said the closings could be extended, adding that store employees are accessible via mobile phone, text, apps, on its websites and with the new tool that facilitates remote selling.
“We have a rich history in being responsible members of the communities in which we serve and must do our part to help stop the spread of COVID-19,” van Raemdonck said in a statement.
Nordstrom said it will close stores for two weeks and will continue pay and benefits for store staff. “While we don’t know exactly what the future may hold, we feel confident that by sticking together and supporting each other, we’ll emerge from this stronger than before,” said Erik and Pete Nordstrom in a note to customers.
Macy’s said it will close all its Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Blue Mercury stores through March 31 and will continue workers’ pay and benefits.
The temporary shutdowns follow the decision Monday by Dallas city officials to order the closings of bars, restaurants, food courts, gyms, health studios, theaters and amusement facilities.
Grocery, pharmacies and banks are open, but many, including those that operated 24 hours such as Walmart, have reduced overnight hours to restock shelves. Kroger, Tom Thumb and Albertsons have also stepped up local hiring efforts.
Richardson-based Fossil is closing its stores through March 28 and paying employees. Several chains said they will temporarily close and pay their workers: H&M until April 2 and Bath & Body Works. Under Armour and Madewell said stores will close through March 28. Men’s apparel retailer Bonobos said it has closed its stores indefinitely. They join retailers that announced closings over the weekend: Apple, Patagonia, Lululemon and Urban Outfitters.
Dallas-based Neighborhood Goods, which just opened a store in Austin, closed its three locations until March 27. Austin-based Tecovas, which opened a new store in Plano’s Legacy West on Saturday, decided Monday to temporarily close all its stores, saying it will revert to its online roots through March 27.
Closing for two weeks is an obvious financial hit, but with Americans following rules to stay home, retailers have to weigh the expense of operating mostly empty stores. That choice is easier for big, well-capitalized national chains.
Many local stores reduced hours and said they would continue to serve customers online and with curbside service, such as Dallas-based Saint Bernard. The family-operated apparel chain cut hours at its four Texas stores to noon to 6.
Dallas-based Sample House reduced its hours to noon to 5 and said in a note to customers, “if you do not wish to come into the store, we understand," adding that it will offer curbside service after orders are placed by phone.
Chip and Joanna Gaines have closed their Magnolia Market at the Silos retail operations in Waco through March 30.
Coppell-based Container Store said it’s not closing stores yet, but CEO Melissa Reiff said in a note to customers, “in the event we must temporarily close a location, our employees will be paid.”
Plano-based J.C. Penney announced reduced hours late Monday. Stores will be open from noon to 7 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. A total shutdown for Penney would be a major setback as the 118-year-old retailer was already working on a difficult turnaround.
Malls are beginning to modify hours:
NorthPark Center is staying open while some retailers in the mall have closed, following their own corporate policies. The center’s restaurants are now operating on a to-go basis as the city of Dallas requires as of Monday. The seating area in the food court is closed. Store closings and reduced hours can be found on NorthPark’s website.
Lewisville’s Music City Mall (formerly Vista Ridge) has cut its Monday through Saturday hours to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday to noon to 6 p.m.
Plano’s Legacy West said several of its stores are closed temporarily and others have canceled events.
The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano has reduced its hours to noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Twitter: @MariaHalkias
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