Jericho, N.Y. — Kimco Realty has been testing a Tenant Assistance Program (TAP), a complimentary service to assist tenants in identifying applying for federal and state loans in the midst of the worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Kimco and its subsidiaries are teaming with law firms. The Jericho-based company says these services have been rolled out in California and Florida, with plans to expand to other states in the coming days. “We are fully committed to the long-term success of our tenants, and we understand that immediate access to capital may …
Company news
Baltimore — In response to the spread of COVID-19, Under Armour Inc. will temporarily lay off some 6,000 employees at its outlet stores around the country and approximately 600 workers at its U.S. distribution centers, effective Sunday, April 12. The Baltimore-based sports apparel retailer also said it would extend current store closures until further notice. In addition, the company’s board of directors and executive vice presidents will be taking 25 percent pay cuts during the public health crisis. Under Armour workers at distribution centers that continue to work will be …
Gap, Macy’s, Kohl’s to Furlough Most Employees as Stores Remain Closed During COVID-19 Pandemic
San Francisco, New York City and Menomonee Falls, Wis. — Prominent retailers Gap Inc., Macy’s Inc. and Kohl’s have announced separately that they’re planning to furlough a majority of employees at their stores and some distribution centers beginning this week in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Combined, the total number of affected employees is nearly 290,000, according to the Los Angeles Times. The three retailers have extended their temporary store closures indefinitely to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the …
Dallas — Dallas-based luxury retailer Neiman Marcus will furlough the majority of its 14,000 employees as it endures another month of store closures, according to reports from multiple news outlets including Reuters, Bloomberg and The Dallas Morning News. Neiman Marcus CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck made the announcement Monday, also noting that he would be forgoing a salary during closures, and that employees not impacted by the furloughs would take pay cuts.
Grapevine, Texas — Video game retailer GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) plans to close more than 300 North American stores in 2020, the Grapevine, Texas-based company recently announced during its fourth-quarter earnings call. GameStop did not specify which stores and markets would be affected by the closures, but said that it anticipates the total number of shuttered stores to be equal to or greater than the 320 stores that it closed in 2019. GameStop saw its total comparable stores sales across the globe decrease 26.1 percent in the fourth quarter of …
Stop & Shop to Donate $1 Million to Support Regional Food Bank Partners in Fulfilling Coronavirus Needs in Northeast
Quincy, Mass. — Stop & Shop, a metro Boston-based regional grocer, will donate $1 million to support its food bank partners across the Northeast in their efforts to fulfill community needs amid the coronavirus outbreak. Proceeds will fund workers who may not be compensated during temporary work closures, as well as to support children without access to free meals at school and existing clients who currently face food insecurity. The donation will be divided among the grocer’s 13 partners, including Greater Boston Food Bank, Rhode Island Community Food Bank and …
Columbus, Ohio — Washington Prime Group Inc. (NYSE: WPG) has temporarily closed its enclosed retail assets that feature an indoor common area in order to help contain the spread of coronavirus. The measure took effect Monday and will end March 29 or at a date in compliance with applicable federal, local or state mandates. Exceptions for enclosed centers include exterior-facing restaurants with carryout and delivery services and other tenants that have exterior-facing entrances and may remain open for offering essential goods. In addition, Washington Prime anticipates that a portion of …
Simon and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield announced Wednesday they were closing all malls until March 29. The American Dream Mall closed on March 16, postponing an opening preview of the Dreamworks Water Park. Mall of America closed on March 18 and will remain closed through the end of the month. Taubman announced it was closing its malls on March 19 and would keep them closed through March 29 unless recommendations from state or federal government require they remain closed longer. Some of Taubman’s retailers with exterior-facing storefronts would be permitted to remain open …
Mount Horeb, Wis. — As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Duluth Holdings Inc. has temporarily closed all of its stores nationwide. There are more than 60 locations of Duluth Trading Co. The company did not disclose a timeline for when the stores will reopen. The Wisconsin-based retailer of casual wear and workwear will support sales associates with two weeks of pay. Approximately 50 percent of Duluth Trading’s sales are generated through its website and shipped directly to customers from its distribution centers. The company plans to keep these facilities …
Detroit’s Bedrock to Offer Rent Forgiveness for Restaurants, Small Businesses in Wake of COVID-19
Detroit — Bedrock, the real estate development company created by Quicken Loans Founder Dan Gilbert, will temporarily waive all rent, expenses and parking fees for restaurants and retail tenants that qualify as small businesses and which occupy space at the landlord’s buildings in downtown Detroit. Bedrock owns about 50 percent of the leasable commercial real estate space in Detroit’s 1.4-square-mile downtown business district, according to The Wall Street Journal. In downtown Detroit, Bedrock’s real estate portfolio includes 125 retailers and restaurants. The rent forgiveness initiative, which runs from April through June, …