Since the outbreak of the coronavirus in January, major brands across virtually every sector of the world economy — from food to fashion to entertainment to technology — have seen their business in China suffer. Those companies have come to rely on China for its efficient factories, increasingly affluent consumers and years of hard-charging economic growth. Now the coronavirus is forcing them to restrict corporate travel to mainland China or temporarily shutter stores, offices, restaurants and theme parks. And the disruption to Chinese manufacturers has rippled through global supply chains, making it difficult for companies to obtain parts for everything from cars to video-game consoles. Much remains unknown, including when Chinese businesses will reopen and whether the spread of the virus will cause similar disruptions in other parts of the world.

Source: International New York Times February 07, 2020 16:08 UTC