Patagonia to close all stores, headquarters and distribution center for Election Day
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London - US outdoor-apparel company Patagonia is set to close all of its retail stores in the United States on November 8, in a bid to encourage its customers and employees to go out and vote.
In addition, the sustainably driven company will also be shutting down its headquarters, distribution center and customer service operations in a bid to push the public to vote with environmental issues in mind. The move is part of Patagonia's larger campaign launched last month, known as Vote Our Planet.
"Without a healthy environment, we are toast.” So we're shutting down on Nov. 8 to encourage all to #VoteOurPlanet: https://t.co/sDcdtmsQDY pic.twitter.com/0kj9CNo56j
— Patagonia (@patagonia) October 28, 2016
The campaign sees the outdoor retailer hosting voter registration rallies in stores and sharing voter guides which state where local and national candidates stand on environmental issues to urge citizen to vote to protect the environment. "During a time of catastrophic environmental crisis, when America needs strong leadership to confront the fundamental threat of climate change, voter turnout threatens to reach historic lows as people are turned off by the ugliness of politics," said Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario in a statement.
"As a business, we have a unique ability to take a stand and choose to prioritize the health of the planet over profit, and I think it’s important we take that opportunity when it truly matters. We want to do everything possible to empower citizens to make their voices heard and elect candidates up and down the ballot who will protect our planet." Patagonia has launched a website as well and a social media campaign under the hashtag #VoteOurPlanet to support its initiative.
In addition, Patagonia has donated 200,000 US dollars to two non-profit organizations - NextGen Climate and HeadCount- to raise awareness for environmental issue during the US presidential elections. Overall the outdoor apparel company has spent over 1 million US dollars this year alone hosting events in stores and raising awareness.