To our Merrell Community,
It’s been over a month since we closed our Michigan headquarters and our Merrell stores across the U.S. to protect our team and consumers from the spread of COVID-19. Like countless organizations around the world, we’ve taken unprecedented steps to reduce pressure on our healthcare professionals and local communities by following the guidance and directives from local government officials. We’re hopeful that these steps are working so together, we can successfully flatten the curve. Nothing about today is business as usual for our team – both on personal and work fronts. We are managing the very best we can each day and I couldn’t be more proud of this team that I’m incredibly lucky to work with every day.
We’ve had to make incredibly difficult decisions over the past few months as it relates to our business – tough decisions in light of what’s happening, but ones that are critically important to protect the brand moving forward. This week, we announced compensation changes for many on our team and we also had to make the difficult choice to furlough a portion of our team while much of the world is idled by the virus. We know our employees depend on us and we’re working to support them as best as possible during these difficult times.
As it relates to our community, we’re leaning in to help do our part, too. Over the past few weeks, Merrell has donated thousands of shoes and boots to those on the frontlines of the crisis, and with your help we’re donating financially to Kids’ Food Basket – a grassroots, community solution to childhood hunger based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We have a couple of new initiatives in the works that we’ll be announcing in the next few days. And, as always, we’re encouraging everyone to get outdoors (safely) whenever they can to share in the simple power of being outside.
While our stores remain closed at this time, we’re still able to meet the needs of the Merrell community by having our teams work in controlled, safe environments to fulfill orders placed on Merrell.com. We also encourage everyone to continue to support one of our many retail partners across the country.
Thank you for your continued support.
Be safe and be well, and thanks for being a part of the Merrell community.
Chris Hufnagel
Merrell President