Protecting high-risk shoppers
Businesses around the country are adapting their services to prioritize the safety and well-being of their customers and staff. In an effort to ensure that everyone gets the food they need while mitigating the risk of spending time in crowded areas, some stores are now reserving certain hours of service for high-risk individuals only. These institutions are asking that everyday patrons respect the new hours of operation to help keep everyone in our communities healthy and secure.
Below is a list of businesses that have adopted this new policy. This post will be continuously updated as we learn more. If you know of any businesses in your area that are not currently on this list, please let us know by sending us a message at info@sageusa.org.
DeCicco & Sons hours: 8 to 8:30 am
[New York regional grocery store chain – implementing in all stores]
“To accommodate seniors and customers who may be immunocompromised during the new coronavirus outbreak, DeCicco & Sons has set aside special shopping times every day beginning Monday (March 16). From 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. DeCicco stores will be reserved for customers age 65 and up and immunocompromised families who must shop in the store. DeCicco said they recommend ordering online or having someone shop for you, and ask all other customers to respect the set-aside time and begin regular shopping at 8:30 a.m.”
For more information, follow them on Twitter at @deciccoandsons or visit their website: deciccoandsons.com.
Stop and Shop hours: 6 to 7:30 am
[National chain – implementing across the country]
“Beginning Thursday (March 19), people ages 60 and up can use a designated entrance, which will be marked at their local store, from 6:00a.m.-7:30a.m. Although we will not be requesting ID for entry, we ask that you please respect the purpose of the early opening – and do the right thing for your neighbors. Store associates do reserve the right to ask customers to leave if they are not a member of this age group.”
For more information, follow them on Twitter at @StopandShop or visit their website: stopandshop.com/news-and-media/article-03-13-20/.
Dollar General hours: first hour of operation (typically 8 to 9 am)
[National chain – implementing across the country]
“Dollar General stores will dedicate the first hour of every shopping day to senior shoppers beginning Tuesday, March 17. Stores will maintain their normal opening hours. The company is asking non-senior customers to avoid shopping at Dollar General stores in the first hour after stores open so that seniors, who are more at risk from the COVID-19 coronavirus, can avoid shopping while stores are busy.” We recommend that you call ahead to check the local store hours using this store locator tool.
For more information, follow them on Twitter at @DollarGeneral, read this article, or visit their website: https://www.dollargeneral.com/.
Whole Foods hours: one hour before operation
[National chain – implementing across the country]
“Starting on Wednesday, March 18, all Whole Foods Market stores in the U.S. and Canada will service customers who are 60 and older one hour before opening to the general public, under the new adjusted hours posted on the store’s web page. (example: if a store’s new hours are 9am-8pm, customers who are 60+ can shop starting at 8am). Starting on Thursday, March 19, all Whole Foods Market stores in the U.K. will service customers who are 70 and older one hour before opening to the general public, under the new adjusted hours posted on the store’s web page.”
For more information, visit their website: https://media.wholefoodsmarket.com/news/how-whole-foods-market-is-responding-to-covid-19.
Albertsons’ companies including Albertsons, Safeway, Acme and more
[National Chains – implementing across the country]
“As the situation around Coronavirus continues to unfold, Albertsons Companies’ 2,200+ stores nationwide are setting aside dedicated shopping hours for senior citizens and other at-risk populations, such as pregnant women or those with compromised immune systems, who have been advised to avoid leaving home as much as possible.”
For more information and a full list of Albertson’s companies, visit their website: https://www.albertsonscompanies.com/newsroom/shopping-hours-for-vulnerable-customers.html.
Target hours: first hour every Wednesday
[National chain – implementing across the country]
“We’ll also reserve the first hour of shopping each Wednesday to support vulnerable guests, including the elderly and those with underlying health concerns.”
For more information visit their website: https://corporate.target.com/article/2020/03/target-coronavirus-supporting-guests-team.
Walmart hours: Tuesdays one hour before operation
[National chain – implementing across the country]
“From March 24 through April 28, Walmart’s 5,000-plus U.S. stores will host an hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday for customers 60 and older, which will start one hour before stores open.”
For more information visit their website: https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2020/03/18/latest-walmart-store-changes-to-support-associates-and-customers.