Co-founder of Nairian: Armenian businesses’ losses from COVID 19 are inevitable, but there is a chance to minimize them
07.04.2020,
15:42
The interview of Anahit Markosian, co-founder and scientific director of Nairian Company, with ARKA and Novosti-Armenia as part of the special projects #SaveBusiness.
YEREVAN, April 7. /ARKA/. The interview of Anahit Markosian, co-founder and scientific director of Nairian Company, with ARKA and Novosti-Armenia as part of the special projects #SaveBusiness.
- How has your activity changed since the outbreak of the coronavirus?
A. Markosian - Nairian continues to work partially, since we are engaged in the production of cosmetics and, therefore, are included in the list of enterprises whose activities are allowed under restrictions.
Office personnel, like everyone else during this period, work from home. Our three boutiques are closed, but life in the village of Aragyukh continues almost unchanged. Although our output has shrunk dramatically, agricultural work is being carried out in the same volume.
It is important to balance the situation and employment in order to be able to save the whole team. This is important from a psychological point of view.
- Today, many companies have not only activated their delivery service, but also redesigned their production, taking into account the increased needs of the market for special equipment. How is your company doing in this regard?
A. Markosian - Nairian is not just another company producing cosmetics. For us, the health of our consumers is of utmost importance. For this reason, our products are based on natural essential oils, and cosmetics are based on aromatherapy. This means that direct contact with the consumer is extremely important to us. All our boutiques are now closed, but free product delivery is available throughout Yerevan.
A free gift is attached to each order - a hand sanitizer based on lavender essential oil. You can see our products on our website, and orders can be formalized on our Facebook page. Soon there will be an opportunity to order directly from the website.
Nairian also cooperates with a number of product delivery websites, including menu.am, buy.am and 4u.am. In Armenia, Nairian, I think, has already become a necessity. Undoubtedly, the delivery service does not fully cover all the losses that we incur because of the closure of all our boutiques: it simply gives more opportunities not to deprive our customers of the products they need.
- What measures are being taken in combating coronavirus?
A. Markosian - As I have already said, first of all, we closed all the boutiques in Yerevan, some of the employees started working at home.
In industry, work begins and ends with temperature measurement. All without exception are tested: those working in the fields and gardens as well as the driver. In the laboratory, masks were added to work robes, hair bands and gloves. While working, people maintain the proper distance between each other, and the dining room is closed.
Naturally, we are not in want of disinfectants, because we ourselves produce them only for our employees so far and, as a gift, provide them to online clients who order our products.
- Do you count on state assistance? What specific activities could support the business in this situation?
A. Markosian - We are trying on our own to prepare the business for resistance. During this period, our loyal customers, as well as business colleagues, provide the greatest assistance to us. These days, we all need to support each other: the business needs to support customers, and customers need to support the business.
- How would you describe the situation in this area in Armenia? Is there a preliminary calculation of the damage caused by the coronavirus?
A. Markosian - In Armenia, we are hardly the only company in the field of cosmetics production, there are smaller players in this field, although the market is not very large. No one can predict the damage caused to business, but something is clear: preventive measures started in Armenia early enough to minimize possible losses. At the same time, it should be noted that losses are inevitable.
Cosmetics are not top-priority products that people purchase in a hurry amid a crisis. Nevertheless, our natural deodorants, hard hand creams, lip balms have antibacterial and antiseptic effects, which are in demand especially in the current circumstances. --0--
- How has your activity changed since the outbreak of the coronavirus?
A. Markosian - Nairian continues to work partially, since we are engaged in the production of cosmetics and, therefore, are included in the list of enterprises whose activities are allowed under restrictions.
It is important to balance the situation and employment in order to be able to save the whole team. This is important from a psychological point of view.
A. Markosian - Nairian is not just another company producing cosmetics. For us, the health of our consumers is of utmost importance. For this reason, our products are based on natural essential oils, and cosmetics are based on aromatherapy. This means that direct contact with the consumer is extremely important to us. All our boutiques are now closed, but free product delivery is available throughout Yerevan.
- What measures are being taken in combating coronavirus?
A. Markosian - As I have already said, first of all, we closed all the boutiques in Yerevan, some of the employees started working at home.
In industry, work begins and ends with temperature measurement. All without exception are tested: those working in the fields and gardens as well as the driver. In the laboratory, masks were added to work robes, hair bands and gloves. While working, people maintain the proper distance between each other, and the dining room is closed.
- Do you count on state assistance? What specific activities could support the business in this situation?
A. Markosian - We are trying on our own to prepare the business for resistance. During this period, our loyal customers, as well as business colleagues, provide the greatest assistance to us. These days, we all need to support each other: the business needs to support customers, and customers need to support the business.
A. Markosian - In Armenia, we are hardly the only company in the field of cosmetics production, there are smaller players in this field, although the market is not very large. No one can predict the damage caused to business, but something is clear: preventive measures started in Armenia early enough to minimize possible losses. At the same time, it should be noted that losses are inevitable.
Cosmetics are not top-priority products that people purchase in a hurry amid a crisis. Nevertheless, our natural deodorants, hard hand creams, lip balms have antibacterial and antiseptic effects, which are in demand especially in the current circumstances. --0--
