As the coronavirus pandemic grips the U.S., some retailers are taking unprecedented steps to protect and serve the residents most vulnerable to the spreading disease.
On Monday evening, Dollar General Corp. said it plans to dedicate the first hour of each shopping day to senior shoppers and will amend store operating hours starting Tuesday.
Dollar General is strongly encouraging that the first hour of operations each day be dedicated solely for the shopping needs of senior customers, who are one of the groups most at risk of succumbing to the COVID-19 disease caused by the new novel coronavirus. The low-cost retailer wants to provide these at-risk customers with the ability to purchase the items they need and want at the beginning of each day to avoid busier and more crowded shopping periods, especially as consumers rush to stockpile supplies.
Stop & Shop supermarkets also said Monday that it was shortening its store hours to allow for restocking and it would open from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. for people 60 and older to shop.
Dollar General said other customers are encouraged to plan their shopping trips around this window of time to allow the most susceptible customers the ability to shop during the first hour that stores are open. In addition, all stores plan to close one hour earlier than current closing times to allow employees to clean and re-stock store shelves, as well as to support their health and wellbeing. Stores will continue to maintain current opening hours.
“We appreciate our customers’ understanding of our decision and request they visit our stores later in the morning to allow at-risk populations the ability to purchase the items they need at affordable prices,” Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s CEO, said. “During these unprecedented times, Dollar General is diligently working to meet the ongoing needs of our customers and communities. We are proud to live our mission and provide customers with everyday low prices on the household essentials that are used and replenished most often.”
Dollar General operates 16,278 stores in 44 states. In addition to high-quality private brands, Dollar General sells private-label and branded products such as food, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at everyday low prices in convenient neighborhood locations.