Retail Adapts to the COVID-19 Pandemic

vickerytrading.org COVID-19 masks

There isn't a roadmap for these times we are navigating, as many industries including retail and eCommerce must quickly adapt to consumer needs and demands. All areas of business are being impacted as everyone tries to determine what the next months will look like. 

One way retailers and manufacturers are reacting is by taking a hard look at their resources and those who are agile are adapting their production and delivery methods. Examples include shifting production from apparel and fashion goods to PPE, masks and hand sanitizers.

I serve on the board of social non-profit Vickery Trading Company, advising on the product development, eCommerce and retail initiatives. We teach refugee women to professionally sew (little girls’ dresses, yoga headbands, loungepants). We also take on manufacturing jobs such as pillows for home brands. All are paid fair wages and are provided a curriculum for learning English as a Second Language (ESL).

A week ago we decided to keep most of the women employed by setting them up with our sewing machines in their homes. We then created a new mask website sku so customers could sponsor as a donation, enabling us to pay the women a fair wage and create masks for the medical community. So far they have made 1,400 with another 1,000 in production. As these masks are completed, they are being sent FREE to medical communities, particularly those in rural south Texas.

 

Posted by Linda Mihalick on: 
Apr 5 2020