Shipping on Wednesday, 1 April 2020

Diamond Forced Closure- New comic Shipping Stopped due to coronavirus !!
We have RECEIVED LAST WEEKS NEW COMICS but that was the last new comic shipping for, who knows how long.
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Diamond Comics Distributors has released an official statement announcing that they are shutting down operations and will no longer receive shipments of new comics at its warehouses.
The coronavirus is hitting all kinds of businesses, including comic book shops.

You can read the full statement below:
THERES A BIT TO READ BUT WORTH THE EFFORT.

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.”

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.

“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

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE COMIC SHOP?
Cleaning Cleaning Cleaning is what we will be doing.
We will still be OPEN as normal and will remain this way till we are directed differently to do so.
But the weekly arrival of new comics will stop after this weeks new comic shipping.
We still have a Universe of Trade-Paper Backs and Hardcovers, Back-Issue Comics and Current Issues on shelf to get us through this lean reading time.
Your support of the Comic Shop by clearing your Standing Order, finishing your Lay-bys and checking out our Trade Paperbacks & Hardcovers for that undiscovered reading would be magic at this time.

If you have any concerns, worries or suggestions please tell us as we are here to help you escape from this madness into Our Comic Universe.

Stay tuned.
See YOU in shop.

Be healthy