Nike and Apple Shut All US Stores to Slow Coronavirus Spread
Major retailers Nike and Apple close their U.S. storefronts until late March to promote social distancing, while other chains like Walmart reduce operating hours.
The coronavirus outbreak forces major retail chains to change their operations, with Nike and Apple announcing the closure of all their U.S. stores. Nike shuts down its locations in the U.S., Canada, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand starting Monday until March 27. Apple applies the same procedure it used in China, closing all stores outside of China for two weeks to minimize the risk of virus transmission.
Apple CEO Tim Cook states that the most effective way to slow the spread of the virus is to reduce density and maximize social distance. Despite these physical closures, customers of both companies continue to have the option to purchase products and services through their respective websites. Online shopping remains fully operational while the brick-and-mortar locations stay temporarily shut.
While Nike and Apple represent the largest retailers to completely close their doors in the U.S. so far, other companies take less drastic measures to protect the public. Walmart announces it will operate all of its stores with reduced hours, opening from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. until further notice. Across the retail industry, businesses are actively increasing their sanitizing efforts and adjusting their schedules to navigate the ongoing health crisis.