The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many companies to cease hiring or lay off employees. But local e-commerce business Proozy is doing the opposite – it's growing.
The Eagan-based company, which sells discounted sportswear apparel, announced this week that it is looking to hire 50 full-time employees for its Twin Cities fulfillment, logistics and distribution center.
Proozy said in a statement that it has been running at 100% capacity in recent weeks and needs to grow its workforce in order to keep up with demand.
"Our business is experiencing unprecedented growth as more and more consumers, many of who are sheltering in place and working from home, are shifting to online shopping in light of concerns related to COVID-19," CEO Jeremy Segal said.
Right now, Proozy has around 90 employees. Those able to work from home are already doing so, but the company needs more people to help meet demand in its fulfillment center. These employees are exempt from the state's shelter-in-place order, which is in place through April 10.
Given current conditions, the company said, it will provide all new employees with personal protective equipment, including face masks and protective gloves.
"This is a challenging time all around and making sure we create a safe and secure environment for our workers is our number one goal," Proozy Chief Health Officer Rachel Segal said in a release. "We need to grow quickly and respond to our customers' needs, but we will do so in a responsible and measured manner in line with federal, state and local health and safety guidelines."
Founded in 2015, Proozy was No. 19 on the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal's Fast 50 list in 2019. Segal also recently received a 40 Under 40 award from the publication.
"This is a tough time all around, but we will get through it," Segal said. "We are providing a much-needed service to our customers during a period in which many are unable to venture out of their homes."
