Diamond Comics Distribution (DCD) announced on Monday 032320 they are no longer
accepting new product from their vendors and they are suspending new
product shipments for the foreseeable future due to Covid-19. This goes into
effect immediately and is essentially a world wide shutdown of all new comic
product until after the "all clear" is given by governments to resume business
as usual. Below is the full text of Diamond's President Steve Geppi press
release:
"CORONAVIRUS EFFECTS ON DISTRIBUTION
As everyone knows, the world faces ever-increasing challenges related to the
COVID-19 pandemic. Its effects on the comics & collectibles and tabletop gaming
industries have been felt far and wide. We are hearing from thousands of
retailers that they can no longer service their customers as they have in the
past, many of them forced to close by government action or resort to in-person
or curbside delivery. Even those still open are seeing reduced foot traffic in
most cases, a situation that seems likely to worsen with time.
Our publishing partners are also faced with numerous issues in their supply
chain, working with creators, printers, and increasing uncertainty when it comes
to the production and delivery of products for us to distribute. Our freight
networks are feeling the strain and are already experiencing delays, while our
distribution centers in New York, California, and Pennsylvania were all closed
late last week. Our own home office in Maryland instituted a work from home
policy, and experts say that we can expect further closures. Therefore, my only
logical conclusion is to cease the distribution of new weekly product until
there is greater clarity on the progress made toward stemming the spread of this
disease.
EFFECTS ON DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS
Product distributed by Diamond and slated for an on-sale date of April 1st or
later will not be shipped to retailers until further notice. For the time being,
however, we have been able to develop procedures with our teams at the
distribution center in Olive Branch, MS to safely continue fulfillment of direct
ship reorders for the retailers who are able to receive new product and need it
to service their customers. It's unlikely that orders will be filled on the same
day they are placed, and these plans are subject to change if at any point we no
longer feel that we can safeguard our teams while fulfilling orders.
Product distributed by Diamond UK and slated for an on-sale date of March 25th
or later will not be shipped to retailers until further notice. Further updates
with regard to reorders and other Diamond UK-specific information will be
communicated directly to their customers as information becomes available.
EFFECTS ON ALLIANCE GAME DISTRIBUTORS
Product distributed by Alliance has been shipping from our Fort Wayne, IN and
Austin, TX warehouses. Both are closing at the end of the day on Tuesday, March
24th, in the interest of employee safety and to comply with direction from local
governments. Any orders not shipped by that time will not be processed until
further notice. Your dedicated sales team will still be working remotely and
will help you with any orders you'd like to place today or questions you may
have.
OUR SHARED PATH FORWARD
With these changes in our distribution strategy, we will work with our
publishing partners to develop programs that will address product already in the
pipeline and what will happen when we resume distribution. We know that during
this time you will face many challenges, and we will direct our energies toward
addressing them, rather than fighting on increasingly numerous fronts to get
product out.
For those retailers who remain open in various forms, I encourage you let loose
your own creativity. For the time being, you will be able to replenish your
perennials from Diamond and/or Alliance, but you should also remember the stock
you already have in your stores. If your doors remain open, it's likely you will
have customers who will continue to seek diversion from events of the world.
Special sales, promotions, and even eBay can help you bring in cash during this
trying time. Product for which you've already paid may well hold some of your
answers. There have been many solid suggestions offered about how to help our
retailers, and we will bring many of them together in future communications.
Besides the industry's most immediate needs, we have been and will continue
looking toward the future, when we see stores reopening, bringing staff back
onboard, and getting customers in the door. We are looking at issues like debt
accrued due to this crisis, what reduced ordering means for your discount tiers,
and the availability of credit to help stores through and after this difficult
time. We don't have all those answers today, but we understand the many issues
you are facing and look forward to addressing them as partners who all have an
interest in the long-term health of the industry we love so much.
As I mentioned in my last update, this industry has been one of the greatest
joys of my life, from my days as a collector to a retailer to today. I and my
Leadership Team have made these decisions knowing full-well the effect they will
have on all of you, as well as our publishing partners and our own team members
around the world. At the end of the day, the safety and security of our teams
and yours, along with the many customers we all serve, is paramount. I again
thank you for your ongoing patience and support.
Thank You,
Steve Geppi
Chairman & CEO, Geppi Family Enterprises"
Because of this, 032520 will be the last "New Comic Wednesday" for some
time. Alternate Reality has received our shipment for this date and those books
will remain on our "NEW THIS WEEK" Rack until whenever the next "New Comic
Wednesday" occurs.
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