Dick’s Sporting Goods is finding it difficult to operate without any sports, gyms or basically any other physical activity.
The sporting goods retailer announced that it’s furloughing a “significant number” of its roughly 40,000 employees beginning April 12. Affected employees will still continue to receive their benefits.
Dick’s said in a regulatory filing that because of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as novel coronavirus, it’s “increasingly evident” that its more than 800 stores aren’t going to reopen anytime soon. It will keep on a small number of employees to fulfill online orders and curbside pickups.
“It is our goal that when this crisis subsides, we will welcome back our teammates, open our doors and get back to the business we love of serving athletes and our communities,” the company said.
The closure of gyms, social distancing rules and most state governments telling people to stay at home has zapped demand for athletic goods.
Dick’s stock is up 5 percent in Wednesday trading. It has lost half of its value so far this year.
A number of retailers have put their employees on furlough because of the virus pandemic that have forced stores to temporarily close.
NTD staff contributed to this report
