Zalando calls off B&B in support of refugee crisis

German online giant Zalando has called off Bread & Butter's upcoming consumer event in January, as the Berlin Senate has indicated it may need to accomodate refugees in Tempelhof, the trade fair's established stomping grounds, amidst the increasing evacuee crisis.

As a growing number of refugees flow into the German capital, the Berlin Senate has been scanning numerous city-owned buildings for their future use as either refugee contact points or refugee residencies. A spokeswomen from the Berlin Senate Administration for Health and Social issues confirmed that the former airport Tempelhof is one of the potential venues on the list to be used for refugees earlier this week, but added that a timeframe for the former airport usage had yet to be given, according to Sportswearnet.

Following numerous media reports, which implied that Zalando may have not been overly enthusuastic about transforming Tempelhof into a refugee center, the German etailer has decided to cancel the revamped Bread & Butter fashion festival in lieu for a charity event, to take place in Berlin sometime early next year. "As a Berlin-based but also an international company we want to take over responsibility. Following the example of the Band Aid events, we want to work together with international artists and host an event to raise funds for the local refugees", said a company spokesman.

The online e-tailer added that if the Berlin Senate decides to accomodate refugees in Tempelhof, then they will be involved in making the location habitable.