Fashion retailers focus on PPE production amidst COVID-19

Amidst the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, fashion retailers from around the world have committed to produce PPE (personal protective equipment) required for healthcare workers.

A global crisis of this scale has caused panic and tension, disrupted supply chain and severely impacted businesses around the world. On the other hand, it has also brought people and businesses together in their spirit to do something meaningful for the communities, especially the frontline workers – from healthcare to pharmacies, food retail to delivery personnel.

As countries, global leaders and businesses are committing relief funds, fashion brands are also rewiring their supply chain and manufacturing facilities to produce PPE.

Burberry: British brand Burberry has committed to deliver over 100,000 surgical masks to the UK National Health Service, while using its trench coat factory to make non-surgical masks and gowns for patients.

Gap Inc.: American brand Gap Inc.’s brands are working together to produce PPE for hospitals in California, in addition to using excess garment capacity to make fabric masks and protective gear.

Gildan Activewear: Canadian brand Gildan Activewear is leveraging its manufacturing facilities to produce non-medical face masks and isolation gowns to support hospitals, healthcare workers and those suffering from COVID-19.

H&M: Swedish fashion brand H&M has adjusted its supply chain to provide PPE to hospitals and healthcare workers.

Kering: Luxury house Kering has donated 3 million surgical masks to French health service, while its brands Balenciaga and YSL are manufacturing masks for staff, in compliance with safety measures.

Also read: What retail businesses are doing

LVMH: Luxury group LVMH has retooled its facilities for Christian Dior, Guerlain and Givenchy to produce hand sanitiser gel for hospitals, while committing millions of FFP2 surgical masks for French health authorities.

MANGO: Spanish fashion brand MANGO is leveraging its logistics system to distribute 2 million face masks among Spanish hospitals, experiencing shortage of essential medical supplies.

Nike: Sportswear brand Nike is working healthcare professionals at Oregon Health & Science University in the US to produce PPE to protect healthcare workers against COVID-19.

Prada: Italian luxury brand Prada committed production of 80,000 medical overalls and 110,000 masks for healthcare personnel in the Tuscany region.

Ralph Lauren: American luxury brand Ralph Lauren is producing 250,000 masks and 25,000 isolation gowns for donation with its manufacturing partners in the US.

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