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PARIS, France — Luxury conglomerate LVMH said it will supply 40 million masks to France, which is facing a shortage during the coronavirus pandemic.
The group has secured 10 million masks from a Chinese distributor, which will be arriving in France over the next few days, according to a release. There will be seven million surgical masks and three million FFP2 masks, which are more robust mainly used in construction. LVMH will continue to repeat the order in similar quantities for the next four weeks.
Chairman and Chief Executive Bernard Arnault has financed the first delivery, which cost €5 million.
This is not the first effort the luxury conglomerate has made to support medical authorities in the battle against the coronavirus. The group has already pivoted perfume and makeup facilities in France to produce large quantities of hydroalcoholic gel.
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Other fashion companies around the world are also redirecting resources to create masks that are urgently needed by local healthcare workers, including several textile factories in Italy, as well as independent brands in both the US and the UK.
Disclosure: LVMH is part of a group of investors who, together, hold a minority interest in The Business of Fashion. All investors have signed shareholder’s documentation guaranteeing BoF’s complete editorial independence.
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