Dollar General stores are asking customers to reserve the first hour the store is open for senior citizens to shop safely and have access to items that tend to disappear off the shelves during the day. All Dollar General locations will close an early early as well to help restock shelves for the next day.
The seniors-only hour went into effect Tuesday, March 17. Seniors are a high risk group for contracting the virus.
“We appreciate our customers’ understanding of our decision and request they visit our stores later in the morning to allow at-rick populations the ability to purchase the items they need,” Dollar General CEO Todd Vassos said.
Other area stores adapting new hours and practices include H-E-B and Walmart.
Walmart’s 24-hour stores will now be open from 6 a.m.-11 p.m. as of Sunday, March 15 until further notice. Employees will use the down time to restock shelves and sanitize the store.
“I don’t think any of us have been through an experience like this,” said Dacona Smith, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Walmart stores. “We continue to be amazed at what our people, whether in the stores or in the supply chain, are doing to make sure customers have what they need.”
H-E-B and Walmart have both placed limits on the amount of products an individual can buy at one time. Notices are posted on the front doors and around the stores.
H-E-B hours as of Sunday, March 15 are from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., giving employees times to restock shelves. Services in the deli, bakery, and floral departments are being reduced for the time being as well.
The most sought after items at most stores are cleaning products.
“We are working to replenish those items quickly, including diverting products to areas of the country where they are needed most and routing deliveries directly to stores,” reads a news statement from Walmart. “We have also authorized our store managers to manage their inventory, including the discretion to limit sales quantities on items that are in unusually high demand.”
As of March 17, H-E-B limits include:
- Chicken – 2 units per transaction
- Ground Beef – 2 units per transaction
- Toilet Paper – 2 units per transaction
- Paper Towels: 4 units per transaction
- Water (including Baby) – 2 multipacks and 2 gallons per transaction, total of 4 items
- Eggs – 4 units per transaction
- Pasta – 4 units per transaction
- Pasta Sauce: 4 units per transaction
- Rice – 4 units per transaction
- Canned Soup – 8 units per transaction
- Canned Vegetables – 12 units per transaction
- Canned Beans – 6 units per transaction
- Dried Beans – 4 units per transaction
- Bread – 4 units per transaction
- Milk – 4 units per transaction
- Powdered Milk – 2 units per transaction
- Disinfecting & Antibacterial sprays/wipes – 4 units per transaction (including Baby)
- Liquid Bleach – 2 units per transaction
- Hand sanitizer – 4 units per transaction (including Baby)
- Hand soap – 4 units per transaction
- Hydrogen Peroxide – 4 units per transaction
- Rubbing (Isopropyl) Alcohol/wipes – 4 units per transaction
- Latex Gloves – 4 units per transaction
- Face Masks – 2 units per transaction
Follow the latest news and link directly to resources on our COVID-19 Guide Page.
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you think you have the coronavirus, please contact the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District at 361-826-7200, and a representative will give you instructions. Check the city’s website for more information.