True Religion Files for Chapter 11, More COVID-19 Retail News
Here are the latest stories to emerge as retailers and brands deal with the impact that the global spread of the coronavirus has had on their businesses. This daily update offers retail executives the chance to stay-up-to-date on all that's happening within the retail industry, particularly as they put into motion their own COVID-19 response plans.
- Amazon.com plans to hire 75,000 more workers to help it fill a massive surge in orders during the coronavirus pandemic. The company just completed an earlier hiring blitz of 100,000. Amazon also said it now expects to spend significantly more on higher wages during the coronavirus crisis, updating that number to $500 million. Furthermore, the online retailer announced that it will resume delivery of nonessential products after nearly one month of limiting shipments unrelated to wellness, cleaning and nonperishable home essentials.
- True Religion Apparel filed for bankruptcy protection in Delaware on Monday, its second Chapter 11 filing since 2017. The company said it had no choice as government stay-at-home edicts shut down nonessential stores nationwide, blaming liquidity constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Kroger is stepping up to increase COVID-19 testing in Kentucky. The grocery chain is offering free drive-thru testing beginning this week, providing the medical staff, personal protective equipment (PPE ), and the sign-up portal. In recent weeks, Kroger has hired more than 32,700 new associates and its Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation has deployed more than $3 million to hunger-relief resources for those communities most impacted by the coronavirus.
- Point Inside, the most trusted source for data and insights, has launched its Digital Audience Segments product focused on providing brick-and-mortar retailers with complimentary access to mobile advertising IDs of shoppers who have visited their stores prior to the COVID19 outbreak. This complimentary audience data will help retailers redirect brick-and-mortar shoppers to their e-commerce stores while physical doors are shut.
- Companies:
- Amazon.com
Kristina Stidham is the digital content director at Total Retail and sister brands Women in Retail Leadership Circle and Women Leading Travel & Hospitality at NAPCO Media. She is passionate about digital media and handles video, podcast and virtual event production for all brands. You can often find her at WIRLC, TR, WLT&H or industry events with her camera and podcasting equipment—or at home on Zoom—recording interviews with thought leaders and business executives.
Kristina holds a B.A. in Media Studies and Production from the Temple University Klein College of Media and Communication in Philadelphia. Go Owls! When she's not in the office, she loves to go on long walks, sing around the house, hangout with her family and two pet guinea pigs, and travel to new places.
