It's been another weird week in retail. McDonald's Brazil reminded us to socially distance ourselves, Popeyes provided select fans with some in-home entertainment, and Crocs and other brands are giving out shoes to healthcare workers on the front lines.
This, and more, in this week's retail therapy.
McDonald's goes the distance
As COVID-19 continues to spread globally, health experts and government officials have encouraged the practice of social distancing to help stem the outbreak. People have adjusted their routines, whether that means working from home or getting together virtually with friends for a happy hour in order to stay inside and safely distance themselves from others.
McDonald's Brazil wanted to do its part to spread the message of staying at least six feet apart. In a Facebook post, the restaurant chain posted a picture of its iconic golden arches, but with a key difference: the arches are separated.
This wasn't the only public announcement the fast-food chain made about distancing yourself during this time. McDonald's India posted an animation to its Instagram page showing a line of fries keeping a safe distance from each other, with a caption that read, "Stay away from crowds, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. #StaySafe."
For some, the post was a great reminder to be smart and not gather in groups during this period. But for others, the post was seen as hypocritical. One translated comment on the McDonald's Brazil post read, "There's no point in separating the symbol and keep leaving the staff together."
While some McDonald's across the world have temporarily shuttered stores entirely, others just closed dining areas with drive-thrus, delivery and take-out options still available.
McDonald's responded on Facebook assuring the public that those employees working during this period have "intensified the hygiene and cleaning protocols."
Popeyes wants fans to chill during this time
While most of the world does its part by staying home, we may find ourselves with a little more time on our hands. Maybe it's time to pick up a new hobby or start a new workout plan. Or for the slightly less ambitious, maybe it's time to finally binge all of the shows you've been wanting to watch.
Well, Popeyes is here to help with the latter. The restaurant chain rolled out a new social media campaign that will give out the login information to its Netflix account to select fans.
In order for the chance to win the credentials, fans need to post pictures to Twitter of themselves eating Popeyes with the hashtag #ThatPasswordFromPopeyes.
Riffing on the phrase "Netflix and Chill," the restaurant dubbed this campaign, which features restaurant employees, "Fried Chicken N Chill."
#SelfQuarantined at home and slowly losing your mind? We got you Popeyes Fam. With a streaming service password. Limitations apply. #ThatPasswordFromPopeyes pic.twitter.com/Gbce7rLffm
— Popeyes Chicken (@PopeyesChicken) March 22, 2020
The first 1,000 people to post their photos to Twitter will receive a message from the company with Popeyes' username and password to the streaming service.
We all know we would've watched hours on hours of streaming services anyway, but now at least our behavior is not only acceptable, but encouraged. Happy binging, everyone.
Crocs, Allbirds donate to healthcare workers on the front lines
Healthcare workers across the world have put in long hours, working to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. As a way to thank them for their work, brands have offered to give them products in an effort to make those long shifts a little bit easier.
Crocs, the maker of foam clogs, has offered to give away 10,000 shoes per day with free shipping to healthcare workers that go on its website and request the shoes. Workers can choose between Crocs Classic Clogs and Crocs At Work styles. The duration of the giveaway, the company said in a press release, depends on the number of requests and inventory levels.
"Over the past week, we have spoken to healthcare workers, their facilities and even their family and friends, and they have specifically asked for our shoes in an effort to provide ease on their feet, as well as ease of mind as they need the ability to easily clean up before they go home to their families," Crocs CEO Andrew Rees said in a statement. "These workers have our deepest respect, and we are humbled to be able to answer their call and provide whatever we can to help during this unprecedented time."
Additionally, the shoemaker is donating up to 100,000 pairs of shoes across a number of healthcare facilities and organizations.
"The healthcare industry has always embraced Crocs, but our mantra of 'be comfortable in your own shoes' applies now more than ever, and we want to do more to help our nation's heroes," Rees added. "We only have one ask: Share the word to all those in healthcare and please be mindful to allow those who need these most to place their requests. This is the least we can do for those working incredibly hard to defeat this virus."
Direct-to-consumer sneaker brand Allbirds posted a similar giveaway to its Instagram page earlier this week saying it was giving away sneakers to interested healthcare workers.
The post generated so much interest, the brand had to cap the donations it would give on its own, but offered consumers an opportunity to participate. If consumers purchase a pair of Allbirds in the U.S., the company will split the cost of a donated pair of shoes with them. Otherwise, consumers can simply donate a pair of Allbirds for $60 to a healthcare worker.
