Brazilian retailers and mall operators are opting for closure of brick-and-mortar stores and urging customers to shop online, as the private sector adjusts to help decelerate the spread of COVID-19 across the country. The move followed emergency regulations enacted by the central and state governments allowing only essential services to remain open.

In Sao Paulo state, which is home to some 46 million people and accounts for around a third of the nation’s economic output, state governor Joao Doria has issued a quarantine order that will apply till April 7.

Many retailers, including fashion chains C&A Modas SA, Cia Hering, Guararapes Confeccoes SA and Marisa Lojas SA, immediately followed Doria’s order and closed brick-and-mortar stores, according to a news agency report.

Some, such as Lojas Renner SA, acted before the official orders, suspending activities indefinitely in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. Magazine Luiza SA also joined the move, shuttering all physical stores indefinitely.

BR Malls closed all its malls, proceeding only with delivery services in locations where authorities have not yet banned such activity. Upscale rival Iguatemi Empresa de Shopping Centers SA closed all but essential services in four malls in Sao Paulo.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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