Some Supermarkets Are Launching Senior-Only Hours During the Coronavirus Pandemic. Not All Retailers Think That ’s a Good Idea

As the elderly have emerged as a category of vulnerable people most endangered by the coronavirus pandemic, store chains across the U.S. are announcing hours specifically dedicated to senior shoppers. National chains including Stop & Shop and Dollar General have announced senior hours, as have many regional chains such as Zannoto’s Family Markets in San Jose, Calif., DeCicco & Sons in New York and Vista Supermarkets in El Paso, Texas. The announcements come as retailers across the country struggle to keep shelves stocked with food, sanitation products and other household goods like toilet paper — despite pleas from officials against hoarding and “panic buying.” This is day 1 of “Senior Shop” at Zanotto’s Willow Glen. There are so many in line trying to take advantage of the hour of shopping dedicated to people 60 and older. I don’t think the owners expected this turnout because their goal was to keep seniors out of the crowds. @KTVU pic.twitter.com/p2iEjLHEn2 — Sara Zendehnam (@szendehnam) March 17, 2020 Stop & Shop, a grocery chain with more than 400 locations across north eastern states, said Monday that it would open stores early to accommodate people age 60 and older from 6:00-7:30 a.m. daily. Dollar General, which operates more than 15,000 stores in 44 states, will dedicate each store’s first hour open for business to seniors. “During these unprecedented times, Dollar General is diligently ...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Brief COVID-19 News Desk Source Type: news