Neiman Marcus, Joann partner to make gear for frontline healthcare workers

In an unlikely partnership, the nation’s premier luxury department store company is teaming up with a leading fabric and craft retailer to help fill part of the immediate need of materials for medical personnel. Gap Inc. has launched a similar effort.

Neiman Marcus Group is partnering with Joann to begin producing nonsurgical, personal protective equipment including masks, gowns, and scrubs beginning this week for front-line healthcare providers. Neiman’s alterations facilities will receive product from Joann to begin creating materials for use by healthcare providers.

Although materials are not medical grade, Joann secured patterns and templates and is shipping fabric and materials recommended for medical settings, including the guidelines provided by the Providence Hospital System in Washington, Neiman’s alterations specialists will create the products while “observing appropriate social distancing guidelines,” the retailer stated. 

The first shipment of materials is expected to be sent to healthcare providers later this week. Neiman and Joann will be covering the cost of shipping and delivery. The two companies will produce these materials as long as there is a need, and are poised to create many thousands of essential items 

“The partnership between Neiman Marcus Group and Joann was created to help fill part of the immediate need of materials for medical personnel,” Neiman’s stated. “Both companies have stepped up to this global and national crisis in support of those who are holding the front line of this pandemic. Any company that has the ability to manufacture medical materials should manufacture right now.’

In related news, Gap. Inc is has shifted its resources to making gear for healthcare workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement published on Twitter, the retailer said it will move its factory partners to make personal protective equipment such as masks, gowns and scrubs for frontline healthcare workers.

"Our teams are connecting some of the largest hospital networks in Calif. w/ our vendors to deliver PPE supplies," Gap tweeted.