DC Comics Reveals Plan for Retailers

by Wes Greer on March 28, 2020

DC Comics reveals returnability plan for retailers amidst COVID-19 pandemic

In just the last couple of weeks,, the comic book industry has taken a massive hit because of mandatory stay at home orders and fears of spreading the COVID-19 virus which has caused many local comic shops to either close or lose a massive amount of customers coming in. This week the industry hit a new low with Diamond Comic Distributors announcing they would not be sending out any new issues starting this week. Many publishers have been working on new ways to get comics out and other methods to continue sales and help out struggling comic retailers and the decision could be the final nail in the coffin for Diamond who owns a monopoly in the comic distribution world. Many publishers have already started looking into other possibilities for future releases and ways to help maintain the industry which makes up the bulk of these companies’ sales. DC has been silent on their plans but today issues the following statement on their plans moving forward.

"First, the entire team here at DC hopes that you, your family and your employees are staying safe and healthy during this very tough and precarious time. We know that you have been waiting for DC to comment on the state-of-affairs and to address any measures we will take to help our community lighten the burden of the disruption to our business, and we’ve been working hard on a long-term, solution-focused plan. Here is how we will help:
"Periodicals and books with in-store dates between March 18, 2020 and June 24, 2020 will be fully returnable. We’ll even provide credit for your separate return shipping of these items only.
"Additionally, because we anticipate that continued disruption to business operations will create regional volatility, DC is exploring a multi-distributor model to provide us with the flexibility needed during this crisis to get new content to our readers on an ongoing basis. In the short-term, we continue to engage in active conversations with Diamond to help us solve the distribution issues that have arisen and hope to get new product to store that want or need it as soon as possible. We will provide additional information about how we’ll make that happen in the coming days
"Thanks for your patience with us. DC will continue to monitor the situation, continue to speak with you directly, and continue to support you through the days ahead. You are the lifeblood of this industry."

It is a sigh of relief to see that DC is stepping up and making as much effort as possible during this tough time in the world and as things unfold be sure to keep coming back to Comics The Gathering where we will be sure to keep you guys up to date on all the latest comic related news.

-Wes Greer
 

Comments