As consumers stock up on everyday necessities and pull back on discretionary purchases, more and more brands that sell non-essential items are pivoting to mask making during the coronavirus health crisis. On Wednesday, clothiers Gap and Eddie Bauer announced they will be putting their factory resources to work making masks and other protective materials for health care workers dealing with severe shortages during the pandemic.
Similarly, Nike said on its earnings call Wednesday that it is also focusing on how it can help doctors, nurses and other health care professionals.
“Our teams in innovation and manufacturing are exploring designs for personal protective equipment,” said John Donahue, who was appointed CEO of Nike late last year, on the call. “Based on needs identified by the teams and health professionals at Oregon Health & Science University, our teammates are working right now about how to best help, including prototyping face shields of OHSU and others.”
Gap, along with sister brands Old Navy, Athleta and Banana Republic, is using its production pipeline to manufacture masks, gowns and scrubs. It’s also using excess garments to produce more fabric masks. Gap tweeted the news on Wednesday.