Freeport, ME, March 12, 2020
Our Response to COVID-19
A Message to our Stakeholders:
As an organization, we care deeply about all of our stakeholders – from our employees to our vendors and our local communities and customers.
That is why we wanted to share with you the efforts we are taking across our retail locations, as well as in other areas of our business, to ensure we are providing the best experience possible for all.
Following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization, we believe one of the most effective actions we can take is to limit in-person contact in large settings where we can. As a result, we have suspended in-store events at all retail locations at this time out of an abundance of caution. We have also restricted all international travel as well as domestic travel for large gatherings or conferences.
We are also focusing on employee health by equipping them with the latest information and resources they need to keep themselves, their colleagues, and their families healthy. Sick employees are encouraged to stay home, and those directly impacted by the virus will have benefit options to ensure they are able to care for themselves and family members.
Additionally, we have enhanced our already stringent cleaning procedures in all of our retail locations, corporate offices, call center, fulfillment center and manufacturing facilities.
We will test a remote work policy for all Maine-based office employees on Friday, March 13. This will allow us to test our business continuity program in the event we need to consider a longer-term work-from-home scenario.
All of our stores are currently open for business - and as always, customers can also shop with us on llbean.com.
We will continue to monitor the situation and follow the recommendations of the CDC and WHO as this situation continues to evolve.
As we take in news and information surrounding this global event, it can be easy to feel anxious and stressed. Now more than ever, we believe time spent outside is important. We hope you are able to find comfort in being outdoors in the days and weeks ahead.
Please know our top priority will remain keeping our employees, customers and communities safe.
With appreciation,
Steve Smith, President and CEO
L.L.Bean
About L.L.Bean, Inc.
L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. Still family owned, Shawn Gorman, great grandson of Leon Leonwood Bean, was named Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2013. While its business has grown over the years, L.L.Bean continues to uphold the values of its founder, including his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors. In the past five years, L.L.Bean has donated over $6 million toward conservation and land stewardship. L.L.Bean operates 34 stores in 16 states across the United States, along with 25 stores in Japan. The 220,000-sq. ft. L.L.Bean retail store campus in Freeport, ME, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide at www.llbean.com, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.