ATLANTA -- HAVERTYS (NYSE: HVT and HVT.A) announced  it would begin the process of reopening its stores and resuming its distribution and delivery operations. The company currently expects to reopen 108 of its 120 stores on May 1 and the remaining locations by mid-May.

Havertys plans a phased approach as it restarts its business with limited staffing and shorter hours, adjusting as the pace of business dictates.  The company will follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and will implement enhanced cleaning measures, social distancing, and the utilization of face masks across its operations for the safety of team members, customers, and communities.

Havertys helped lead the fight to combat the spread of Covid-19 by closing its stores March 19 and halting deliveries March 21. Expectations at that time were for a reopening of stores on April 2, 2020. Affected team members were paid during this period and most Havertys' corporate office personnel transitioned to working remotely. On April 1, the company extended its store closures for another 30 days and furloughed 3,033 team members or approximately 87 percent of its workforce and paid the cost of enrolled health benefits of those individuals.

-- Reducing its workforce of 3,495 by approximately 1,200 team members.

 

-- Extending the furlough and payment of health benefits for another 30 days for approximately 730 team members. Those furloughed, as a percentage of the remaining workforce by category, are approximately: 44 percent of retail, 7 percent of warehouse and delivery, and 26 percent of corporate functions. The recall of these team members will depend upon the level of Havertys' business.

 

These steps follow the previously announced salary and hours reductions and other measures of Havertys' business continuity plan, aligning the company's operating cost structure to business conditions and preserving liquidity.

Clarence H. Smith, president and chief executive officer said, "The pandemic has radically impacted lives, our families, the economy, and led to the deaths of thousands. We are navigating through uncharted waters of a health and economic disaster. The announcement today concerning our former team members comes after a long, extremely difficult, and painful decision-making process. The unknown duration for reaching a return to 'normal' requires taking proactive, aggressive actions to sufficiently scale our operations to enable Havertys to endure and recover when conditions improve. This week, with a heavy heart, we will begin the first step towards our new 'normal' with the reopening of our stores and renewed commitment to providing Havertys' renowned excellent customer service."