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The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) ordered footwear retailer Foot Locker to suspend operations for 10 days starting Saturday (December 5) at its Orchard Gateway @ Emerald location for failing to comply with Covid’s secure management measures. -19.
“Large crowds had gathered at the store for a product launch on Friday, despite repeated notices from public enforcement agencies about crowd management,” STB said in a joint statement with Enterprise Singapore on Saturday.
During the period of your suspension, the Foot Locker’s Orchard establishment may not engage in physical retail activities, but may continue to conduct retail activities online.
Investigations are still ongoing and further enforcement action can be taken, the agencies said.
STB and ESG are also engaging Foot Locker on the steps it will take for future product launches, including the possible halt of all physical launches of this type at Foot Locker’s Singapore locations.
They added that retail businesses are strongly encouraged to conduct sales online rather than hosting physical product launches that can draw large crowds.
“If doing physical launches, companies need to ensure they have strong plans to implement secure management measures, including crowd management and capacity limits,” the agencies said.
By Friday night, crowds had apparently gathered for Saturday’s launch of the limited-edition Adidas sneaker, an item that may turn a good profit on the secondary market due to high demand.
ALSO READ: Sneaker enthusiasts crowd footwear retailer Orchard Road in violation of Covid-19 rules
A Foot Locker spokesperson told The Straits Times on Saturday that it will not host any in-store events this weekend.
“We take crowding issues very seriously and continue to work diligently and proactively to maintain a safe distance for all of our buyers and staff members.
“We will continue to enforce maximum occupancy restrictions for all of our stores in accordance with guidelines set by local authorities,” the spokesperson said.
When ST visited the shoe store around 10am on Saturday, there were no crowds.
Security officials were seen advising some members of the public waiting outside the store that the launch of the shoes had been canceled.
On Friday, photos circulating on social media showed a crowd of around 100 huddled shoulder to shoulder outside the shoe store around 8 p.m.
The crowd dispersed shortly after 8:30 p.m. after ambassadors and police officers arrived safely away.
Adidas’ Yeezy sneaker line, the product of a collaboration between rapper Kanye West and the athletic shoe brand, drew huge crowds in Singapore and abroad during previous releases.
The newly launched Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Men Originals sells for $ 349 on the Adidas Singapore website; its equivalent for children and babies costs $ 250 and $ 220, respectively.
Adidas Singapore had taken an online vote for Saturday’s limited release, but many missing shoe fans seemed to have wanted to try their luck at Foot Locker, given the shoes’ high resale value.
Foot Locker Singapore had previously marketed itself as the place to shop for exclusive shoes.
“These trainers are all the rage, the hype is real … Foot Locker is at the forefront of the latest trends, so you know it will stock Yeezy boost shoes online and in select stores,” it said on its website ahead of launch. . .
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Foot Locker Singapore’s website was down on Saturday afternoon. It was previously reported to be inactive on Friday night.
Last June, the launch of the limited edition Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V created a long queue that lasted for many hours before launching at Foot Locker’s Jewel Changi Airport store.
