Nike plans to close its stores across the United States and other countries beginning Monday due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, according to CNBC.
Under Armour announced later Sunday that it is closing its North American stores through March 28, according to a Yahoo Finance editor.
Besides the U.S., Nike plans to close stores in Canada, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand from Monday through March 27, CNBC reported Sunday morning.
Here is Nike’s statement:
"The well-being of our teammates and consumers is our top priority so we have decided to close our stores in multiple countries around the world including in the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand to limit the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). These closures will go into effect from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27. Customers can continue to shop on Nike.com and on our Nike apps.
"We are taking additional steps in other Nike-managed facilities, including the option to work from home, staggered work schedules, social distancing and additional safety and cleaning steps to help protect and support our teammates.
"Our Nike-owned stores in South Korea, Japan, most of China and in many other countries are currently open and will continue their normal operations."
Nike is joining a list of other companies including Patagonia, Apple, Urban Outfitters, Glossier, Warby Parker and Allbirds that are temporarily shutting their U.S. stores, CNBC reported.
Nike had 384 retail stores in the United States, including Converse and its outlet locations, at the end of 2019, CNBC reported, citing SEC filings. Internationally, it had more than 750 locations, according to CNBC.
On Saturday, tech giant Apple said it is closing its stores outside of China for two weeks and will only sell online as part of efforts to fight the global viral pandemic.
“In our workplaces and communities, we must do all we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” CEO Tim Cook tweeted Saturday. “Apple will be temporarily closing all stores outside of Greater China until March 27 and committing $15M to help with worldwide recovery.”
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In a lengthier online statement, Cook said Apple’s stores in China have all reopened and what the company has learned there has helped it develop “best practices that are assisting enormously in our global response.”
One of the lessons Apple learned in China is that “the most effective way to minimize risk of the virus’s transmission is to reduce density and maximize social distance,” he said. That’s why the company is taking new steps to protect workers and customers as the infection rate rises in other places.
Apple’s online stores remain open. Workers will continue to be paid and office staff will work remotely if possible, Cook said in the statement issued Friday.
The iPhone maker has more than 500 retail stores worldwide, with about half in the United States. The company temporarily shut its 42 stores in mainland China at the height of the country’s outbreak. It said last month it wouldn’t meet its second-quarter financial guidance because of reduced demand and production of iPhones in China.
»MORE: Coronavirus: Patagonia shuts down, employees still paid
The announcement came hours after Apple said its annual Worldwide Developers Conference would take place entirely online this year. Thousands of engineers and customers attend the event in San Jose, California, which is in its 31st year.
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The virus has infected more than 145,000 people worldwide. Most patients have only mild or moderate symptoms and recover fully, but the elderly and people with existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable. More than 5,400 have died.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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