Global Impact on Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) on Fashion Industry
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Noor Ahmed Raaz
Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19):
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory sickness and improve without demanding special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical complications like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. [Source: World Health Organization (WHO)]
Recent Situation of World Fashion Industry:
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the world fashion industry. Staying shut is the only way to open doors in future. The global shutdown has affected fashion industry by a fall of 70% of sales starting from 22 March, 2020. Even Ecommerce platforms have faced a decline of 15% as consumers back off from any form of purchase even after discounts offered by many global brands like GAP, Adidas etc. which is resulting in failure of fulfillment of online orders as these e commerce platforms have suspended the delivery of ready goods waiting for dispatch.
A report released by Mark Anner, director of Pennsylvania State University’s Center for Global Workers’ Rights, says the coronavirus crisis has resulted in millions of factory workers, mostly women from rural areas, being sent home without the wages or severance pay they are owed. The International Labor organization (ILO) has estimated that 25 million jobs may be lost due to the virus outbreak.
Challenges of World Fashion Industry:
Multiple factories have been shut down since the announcement of lockdown. It is said rightly that we all are in together but it is also important to understand that the ability to cope up with this global crises is different for all the industries. In such a situation fashion companies are continually evaluating the effectiveness of different off field promotional strategies which may or may not adversely affect the brand perception and brand image.
While fashion industry is facing challenges in global market it is important that the industry explores longer-term actions to position companies to succeed in the post virus business environment. Recent announcements suggests no growth till the end of April 2020 will be seen. It might be a path of slow growth over time but it’s definitely not the obsolesce to the reshaping fashion industry.
Prevention against Corona Pandemic:
World Health Organization (WHO) gives few instructions to prevent infection and to slow transmission of COVID-19, do the following-
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub.
- Maintain at least 1 meter distance between you and people coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Stay home if you feel unwell.
- Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
- Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people. [Source: World Health Organization (WHO)]
Founder & Editor of Textile Merchandising. He is an Assistant Professor and Chairman of the Textile Engineering Department of a Reputed University in Bangladesh. He has performed numerous Research Regarding Textile Engineering. He has also received two times “Research & Development Fellowship” from the Ministry of Science & Technology in Bangladesh. For any further queries, please contact email at raju.uttara105@gmail.com or WhatsApp at +8801673758271.