In addition, panic shopping has left many store shelves empty, at-risk groups including seniors have had difficulty getting supplies.
Walmart stores will host an hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday for customers 60 and older from March 24 through April 28. The designated hour will start one hour before the retailer’s 5,000-plus U.S. stores open.
Strack & Van Tils are servicing customers who are 60 and older between 6 am and 7am, Monday thru Friday. If you are not in this high risk category, they ask that you plan on shopping after 7am.
Dollar General designated the first hour at its more than 16,000 stores in 44 states as open daily to senior shoppers.
Big Lots: Stores are reserving first hour of each day for senior citizens and “those most vulnerable to this virus,” CEO Bruce Thorn said in an email to shoppers.
Walgreens: The drugstore chain has designated Tuesdays as “Seniors Day.” The company’s locations will be reserved for seniors, their caregivers and their immediate families from 8-9 a.m. Tuesdays. Seniors will also be eligible for discounts on Tuesdays, including 30% off regularly priced Walgreens-brand items and 20% off regularly priced national brands.
Walmart: From March 24 through April 28, Walmart stores will host an hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday for customers 60 and older, which will start one hour before stores open. Checking IDs is at the store’s discretion, Walmart told USA TODAY.
Whole Foods Market: Until further notice, all Whole Foods Market stores in the U.S. and Canada will let customers who are 60 and older shop one hour before opening to the public.
Target stores that regularly close earlier than 9 p.m. will continue to close at their normal time, the company said. Also starting Wednesday, the retailer is dedicating an hour each week for the elderly and those with underlying health concerns – who are the most most vulnerable to COVID-19 – to shop. Updated store hours are posted at Target.com and in stores.
All Whole Foods Market stores in the U.S. and Canada will let customers who are 60 and older shop one hour before opening to the public. The company has approximately 500 stores throughout the U.K., Canada and in 42 U.S. states.
Costco Wholesale Club starts a twice-weekly senior hour March 24. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, members 60 and older can shop from 8 to 9 a.m. at all locations except Business Centers.
Several small and regional grocery store chains also are looking to help, though most retailers are not requiring identification or proof of age and are only “encouraging” other shoppers to plan around these windows.
Thanks to Sue Baxter from PanoramaNow