As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses of all sorts have closed their doors temporarily, corresponding with efforts to help stop the spread of the virus. With entire countries under orders to stay at home, many people are out of work, but we’re seeing powerful initiatives and donations from brands—like Hermès.
The French fashion house, alongside Hermès Group, has donated more than $20M to public hospitals in Paris through the Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris. Additionally, the brand has contributed over 30 tons of hand sanitizer—which was manufactured at its temporarily transformed fragrance factory in Vaudreuil, France—and around 31,000 face masks to medical personnel.
In order to support its 15,500 employees, chairmen at Hermès have also volunteered to forego a pay increase, ensuring that employee salaries worldwide will be maintained through this difficult time.