The leading U.S. grocery store chains are doing whatever they can to keep sales surging while ensuring both their customers and employees remain out of harm's way even as they bask in massive sales increases due to panic buying triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some major supermarket chains such as Texas-based H-E-B have begun to limit food purchases while others like The Kroger Company, the fifth-largest retailer in the world, are boosting hiring. Walmart, Inc., the largest U.S. grocery retailer, is reducing hours at its U.S. stores to allow more time to replenish shelves and clean and sanitize stores against the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI), a trade group for food marketing, food retailers, and wholesalers based in Virginia, is encouraging its members to limit purchases of food items by customers to make sure all customers get what they need. FMI's membership consists of 40,000 retail food stores and 25,000 pharmacies.
"Grocery stores become the center of the community," said Doug Baker, FMI vice president of industry relations. "It's the lifeline during a time of disaster. They are on the front lines." Baker said expects more limits on food purchases in the weeks ahead as COVID-19 expands further across the U.S.
He said purchase limits help prevent hoarding. In turn, hoarding can lead to price-gouging by third-party vendors or shortages that can hurt sick or vulnerable people. Baker also said purchase limits can also can create "some calmness and a game plan" as grocers cope with heavily-trafficked stores.
"In order for us to get through this, it can't be me against you," he said. "We're really going to have to come together as a society."
H-E-B began limiting some food items at stores on March 12. It added more items to the list Friday and is continuing to update the list, said Mabrie Jackson, director of public affairs for H-E-B and Central Market.
H-E-B said it's "in a good in-stock position on many of the items our customers need," but said limits "help protect the supply chain in Texas." If an item is low or unavailable, it encouraged customers to return later as the grocer continues to restock.
On the other hand, Walmart said its stores will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. until further notice. The new hours took effect Sunday. The shorter hours affect 2,200 stores across the U.S. that are open 24 hours a day. Walmart has more than 4,700 Walmart and Neighborhood Market locations in the U.S.
