Brands Giving Back to Fight COVID-19

This is a tough time around the world right now and I am looking forward to the day where #coronavirus is not the top trend on Twitter but I think we still have a few weeks to go.  (Fingers crossed).  I had a fun post for you one of my favorite Sparkles and Shoes series,  Really Love My … but as my post on Monday went over so well with you all I wanted to do another real time post.  This one is on a topic that is very near and dear right now, featuring brands giving back to fight coronavirus – and there are more than you might thing! 

As so many big stores have had to close their doors many brands and retailers are now offering free shipping, free returns, extended return windows, and sales!  For those who need a bit of retail therapy: 

Retailers Doing Great Things: 

• Allbirds  | Providing $500,000 worth of shoes to healthcare workers and medical professionals on the front lines of the Covid-19 crisis).
• Dyson |  Producing  15,000 CoVent portable ventilators, designed specially to treat COVID-19 patients.
• Etsy | Support independent artisans on Etsy, which is investing $5 million over the next month to help Etsy sellers continue to have a steady stream of sales.
• Frame | London gym chain  has launched a pay it forward scheme in which 50% of all account top-ups made during this time will go straight into a freelance fund to support its staff. In addition, it is offering NHS staff free access to its online content.
• Gap | Delivering protective equipment (PPE) to hospital networks in California, while pivoting “resources so factory partners can make masks, gowns, and scrubs for health care workers on the front-lines.”
• Honest Company | Donating 3 million diapers, 30,000 packs of wipes and 20,000 personal care products this year distributed throughout family resource centres, homeless shelters, health clinics, and head start centres to families impacted by the outbreak. 
• L’Oreal | Using its facilities to produce both hand sanitizer and hydroalcoholic gel, two things in short supply since the outbreak of the virus.
• Lululemon |⁣ Announced a $2M Ambassador Relief Fund to assist its ambassador studio owners who have been financially impacted  by COVID-19.
• Nordstrom  | Partnering with Kaas Tailored and Providence to create 100,000 masks and counting.
• Paige  | Donating 20% of their sales to St. Vincent Meals on Wheels helping aid the prep and delivery of meals to seniors and vulnerable residents across LA) 
• Revolve  | Donating 10,000 FDA-approved N-95 masks to local hospitals in Southern California. 
• Saks Fifth Avenue  | Donating $600,000 to support COVID-19 relief efforts, including providing support for the New York Presbyterian COVID-19 Patient Care Fund, Bring Change to Mind, and Girls Inc.
• Spanx | Founder Sara Blakely is donating $5 million to help female businesswomen struggling during the coronavirus pandemic and the brand is delivering 2,500 meals per week to workers at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. 
• Theory  | With its parent company, Fast Retailing, the brand is donating ten million masks to high-priority medical facilities around the world.
• WeWoreWhat   | Donated $30,000 of sales from its recent swim release to the Food Bank, as well as produced 5,000 masks to be distributed across the New York area through the Help Mask A Hero NY organization.
• Zappos  | They are gifting a $250 gift card to a nominated hero every single day to providing meals to those in need during this pandemic.

Retailers with Huge Sales:

• Banana Republic (40% off full prince and extra 60% off sale)
• Gap (60% off everything and extra 50% off sale) 
• J. Crew Factory (extra 70% off clearance) 
• Loft (40% off full price items) 
• Old Navy (10% off everything) 
• Overstock (10% off full price items)

Retailers Offering Free Shipping:

• Aeropostale (orders $50+)
• American Eagle (orders $50+)
• Apple
• Athleta (orders $25+)
• Banana Republic (orders $25+)
• BaubleBar (orders $35+)
• Bed Bath & Beyond (orders $39+, extended 240-day return window)
• Best Buy (orders $35+)
• Bloomingdale’s (free shipping until April 12)
• Coach (extended 30-day window once stores reopen)
• Draper James (orders $75+)
• DSW
• Fabletics (orders $49.95+)
• H&M (orders $25+)
• J.Crew (complimentary with free J.Crew Rewards membership)
• JCPenney (orders $49+, 30-day extended return window once stores reopen)
• Kohl’s (orders $50+)
• Lands’ End (orders $75+)
• Lilly Pulitzer (free returns within 15 days)
• L.L.Bean (orders $50+)
• New Balance (orders $50+)
• Pottery Barn
• Ray-Ban
• Sephora (free shipping through May 1; 60-day extended return window)
• Target (three-week extended return window)
• Urban Outfitters (orders $50+)
• Wayfair (orders $49+)

If you know of any more brands doing great things please let me know and I will be happy to update this list – no brand is too big or too small – we are all in this together! 

Which is your favorite brands giving back?