Walgreens to Open 15 Drive-Thru Testing Locations, Other COVID-19 Retail News

Total Retail is continuing its daily coverage of how the retail sector is responding to the COVID-19 crisis. As retailers try to figure out how to navigate these uncertain times, it's beneficial to look at the ways others in our community are responding. Below are examples of how retailers are reacting during this time, including giving back to those in need, as well as some resources we think you'll find helpful.

• Canada Goose announced plans to increase production of personal protective equipment (PPE) for front-line healthcare workers across Canada. Over the next two weeks, the winter clothing manufacturer will reopen all eight of its Canadian facilities, and up to 900 employees will be working to support the efforts of producing at least 60,000 gowns per week. Canada Goose's plan is to deliver up to 1.5 million gowns, at cost, and any unintentional profits, potentially derived from efficiencies, will be donated to national COVID-19 relief funds. This is in addition to the commitment Canada Goose made to manufacture and donate 14,000 units of gowns and scrubs.
• To support medical personnel and service members on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service has opened a mobile field exchange (MFE) at the Army’s field hospital at the Javits Center in New York City. This is the first time a MFE has been in New York since Superstorm Sandy in 2012. A MFE is a 53-foot trailer stocked with emergency supplies, toiletries, snacks and drinks, typically used to support first responders after natural disasters.
• Melinda Harrison, executive coach, author, and Olympian, shared three tips with Women in Retail Leadership Circle from her upcoming book "Personal Next" about how both current leaders and high-potential employees transitioning into leadership roles can improve performance during this time.
• Walgreens plan to open 15 drive-thru testing locations across seven states, starting later this week. The pharmacy chain collaborated with the Department of Health and Human Services to decide where the sites should open based on current COVID-19 cases. The sites will use Abbott Laboratories' rapid COVID-19 tests. The sites will be in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee and Texas.
• Shipt, the delivery serviced owned by Target, announced it will give $100 bonuses to shoppers who completed between 50 and 100 orders last month, and $200 bonuses to shoppers who handled more than 100 orders. This announcement came on the same day that many Shipt workers held a "walk off" to demand hazard pay and increased protection during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Nike is developing face shields for front-line healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic. The athletic retailer's innovation, manufacturing and product teams have developed face shields and powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) lenses in partnership with health professionals from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). Nike delivered its first shipment of face shields and PAPR lenses to OHSU on Friday.