The COVID-19 global pandemic has rattled everyone and stopped us all in our tracks. A silver lining that tends to happen during a crisis is people coming together and lending a hand to those in need. Here are a few retailers and brands that are giving back however they can, whether it’s hiring more employees, donating money to research for a coronavirus vaccine, or focusing on the needs of their employees.

  1. LVMH, the parent company of luxury brands such as Christian Dior, Givenchy, and Guerlain, has stopped producing perfumes and started producing hand sanitizer in its French manufacturing facilities. The company is hoping to help French health authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic by manufacturing hand sanitizer and providing it to them for free.
  2. Postmates introduced non-contact deliveries, which allows for distancing between customers and Postmates couriers. With this new feature, consumers can still order food via Postmates, but the delivery provider will leave customers’ orders at their door to eliminate contact. Postmates also launched the Postmates Fleet Relief Fund to help their employees cover the costs of co-pays or medical expenses related to COVID-19, regardless of diagnosis. Additionally, if a Postmates employee tests positive for COVID-19, the fund can be used to cover two weeks paid sick leave.
  3. Starbucks has extended its mental health benefits. Employees can access resources, such as free counseling through the coffee chain’s Employee Assistance Program and Headspace for mindfulness and meditation. Starbucks is also offering catastrophe pay to its baristas. The company will pay employees for up to 14 days if they have tested positive for coronavirus, or are exposed to or in close contact with someone who has coronavirus.
  4. Amazon.com is planning to hire 100,000 employees in the U.S. to meet the needs of the influx of online shoppers amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The e-commerce giant wants to add extra full-time and part-time positions for warehouse and delivery workers. Also, through the end of April, Amazon will raise pay for its warehouse and delivery employees by $2 per hour in the U.S.
  5. Dolce & Gabanna partnered with Humanitas University to fund a coronavirus research project. The Italian luxury brand explained it was hoping to do its part in contributing to finding a cure for the virus. Specifically, Humanitas University will be looking into responses of the immune system to the virus. Dolce & Gabanna already has a relationship with the university since it provides scholarships for medical students that attend the school.
  6. Italian designer Giorgio Armani has donated $1.43 million dollars to four hospitals in Rome and Milan, and the national Civil Protection Agency.