The second wave of COVID-19 in India and allied situation are now creating worries for top global retailers and they have expressed their concerns.
Top brands and retailers like GAP and William Sonama have reacted on the same.
“We’re also watching the evolving pressures on our supply chain from both COVID outbreaks in India and Southeast Asia, as well as the ongoing raw material supply pressures,” said Sonia Syngal, CEO, Gap during the Q1, 2021 results’ earnings call.
She also added that more critically due to rising cases in countries we sourced from, like India, we are facing supply chain and raw material challenges. Gap is one of the leading apparel retailers sourcing from many Indian apparel exporters.
Not only apparel retailers, home furnishing giants are also feeling the same heat. Williams Sonoma has also reacted in a similar way.
“The situation, however, remains difficult, especially with the heart-breaking COVID crisis in India, which, of course, is impacting production,” said Laura Alber, CEO of the company.
It is also pertinent to mention here that the recent quarter results of many companies, including Gap and William Sonama, have created positive sentiments, while, on the other hand, many apparel and home furnishing hubs across India are still facing lockdown-induced challenges, including shortage of workers.
William Sonama also sources from many Indian textile companies.
For the past 3 weeks, majority of factories have been shut in Tirupur and looking at the current scenario, it is not sure when these factories will be operational.
Raja M. Shanmugam, President, Tirupur Exporters’ Association (TEA) says, “We don’t have any idea when we can resume operations as there is no decrease in daily cases in the region.
Though factories in North India are operational, they have very less workers.
