Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today provided details on store reopening plans as well as business updates in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Friday, May 1, 2020, Genesco began reopening some stores where state and local officials have allowed malls to operate. The Company’s Journeys business is currently operating in more than 300 locations and anticipates reopening over 400 stores by the end of May. The Company’s Johnston & Murphy business plans to begin its initial phase of store reopenings with up to 30 locations reopening this week, up to an additional 40 locations next week, and a more aggressive schedule to follow. Based upon the current plans of state and local governments, we expect many more openings in June.
All store locations are operating under enhanced measures to ensure the health and safety of our employees and customers, including requiring employees to wear masks, providing hand sanitizer in multiple locations throughout each store for customer and employee use, enhanced cleaning and sanitation protocols, reconfigured sales floors to promote physical distancing, and modified employee and customer interactions to limit contact.
The Company’s Schuh business is preparing to safely open stores and eagerly awaiting further direction from local governments before setting a timetable to re-start retail operations.
Genesco will continue its phased approach to reopen stores when the following conditions are met:
- state and local governments have allowed stores to operate;
- we believe we can operate safely under our enhanced health and safety measures; and
- we believe that we can ensure the safety of our employees and customers
Mimi E. Vaughn, Genesco’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “While we have been pleased with the sales we are experiencing through our e-commerce platforms, we are very excited to once again serve our customers through our stores. Our teams have spent countless hours meticulously preparing for the reopening of our stores in the right way with safety and health as our highest priority.”
About Genesco Inc.
Genesco Inc., a Nashville-based specialty retailer, sells footwear and accessories in more than 1,475 retail stores throughout the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, principally under the names Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Little Burgundy, Schuh, Schuh Kids, Johnston & Murphy, and on internet websites www.journeys.com, www.journeyskidz.com, www.journeys.ca, www.littleburgundyshoes.com, www.schuh.co.uk, www.johnstonmurphy.com, www.johnstonmurphy.ca, www.trask.com, and www.dockersshoes.com. In addition, Genesco sells wholesale footwear under its Johnston & Murphy brand, the Trask brand, the licensed Dockers brand, the licensed Levi’s brand, the licensed Bass brand, and other brands. For more information on Genesco and its operating divisions, please visit www.genesco.com.
