Herschel Supply announces layoffs due to ongoing pandemic

Vancouver-based Herschel Supply has announced layoffs as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The accessories and apparel brand says that their workforce was reduced early last month, although they wouldn’t confirm just how many employees had been let go.

A spokesperson from Herschel Supply tells Daily Hive that “the pandemic has greatly affected the retail sector,” forcing changes to the company’s business structure.

“As the market changed, it was clear that we needed to adapt to continue to deliver on our commitments to our passionate consumers and key stakeholders,” reads an emailed statement from Herschel. “On June 9, we made the extremely difficult decision to reduce the size of our team to streamline our organization and focus resources on core operations.”

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“We want to thank everyone who was impacted for their contribution to Herschel Supply and support them as much as we can through this transition.”

While Herschel has dozens of franchise-operated stores worldwide, it only has a handful of company-owned and operated locations, including its 5,000-sq-ft flagship location in Gastown.

Most recently, the Vancouver-born company announced a partnership with the Ocean Wise Conservation Association called the Re-Sail program, designed to save the Vancouver Aquarium.