The L’Oréal Group has launched a Europe-wide solidarity programme to help its suppliers and partners in the battle against the coronavirus (Covid-19).

Collective action is aimed at assisting hospitals, care homes and pharmacies; food distributors; hair salons, perfume stores and suppliers; and non-profit organisations.

The Group’s factories have increased production of hand sanitiser with the goal of manufacturing significant quantities over the coming weeks to support French and European health authorities.

BRANDS TAKE ACTION

La Roche-Posay is supplying partner hospitals, care homes and main partner pharmacies in Europe with hand sanitiser – the first line of defence against the virus.

French pharmacies are already receiving bottles free of charge which they can then use to produce hand sanitiser via their own dispensaries.

Likewise, Garnier is supplying and distributing several million units of complimentary hand sanitiser to all its European food distribution customers to meet basic hygiene needs.

Payments to L’Oréal from hair salons and small perfume shops have been frozen until the resumption of business and the Group has shortened payment times and introduced systematic immediate payments for those suppliers most exposed to the crisis.

The L’Oréal Foundation has donated €1 million to its partner non-profit organisations, helping the most needy to protect themselves against the pandemic.

The organisations, supported throughout the year by the L’Oréal Foundation, are also receiving hygiene kits (shower gel and shampoo), plus hand sanitiser for social workers, volunteers and beneficiaries.

Jean-Paul Agon, Chairman and CEO, L’Oréal Group said: “In this unprecedented crisis, it is our responsibility to contribute to the collective effort in every way possible.

“Through these actions, L’Oréal expresses our recognition, our support and our solidarity towards those who are demonstrating extraordinary courage and selflessness in their efforts to combat this pandemic.”