In an effort to protect seniors and other people who are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19, many retailers and grocers are offering special hours for those shoppers.
Using website information as well as social media posts and statements made by the companies, The Dominion Post has compiled a list of what some popular stores are offering.
If you know of others that we may include in future editions, email us at newsroom@dominionpost.com.
Walmart
Through April 28, stores will host a senior shopping hour every Tuesday for customers age 60 and older. This will start one hour before the store opens. Walmart pharmacies and vision centers will also be open during this time, the website states.
Area stores open at 7 a.m.
Target
According to its website, Target will reserve the first hour of shopping each Wednesday to support vulnerable guests, including the elderly and those with underlying health concerns.
Target at University Town Centre opens at 8 a.m., according to its website.
Kroger
According to its website, Kroger stores in West Virginia will offer exclusive shopping for seniors ages 60 and older from7-8 a.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
ALDI
According to ALDI’s Facebook page, “On Tuesdays and Thursdays, ALDI stores will open at 8:30 a.m. and reserve the first hour of business for vulnerable shoppers. This includes senior citizens, expectant mothers and those with underlying health concerns.”
Giant Eagle
Giant Eagle is offering a dedicated hour for guests “60 and older, differently abled or immune-compromised.”
For these guests, stores will open at 6 a.m., Monday through Wednesday.
Family Dollar and Dollar Tree
Until further notice, Family Dollar and Dollar Tree stores is “dedicating the stores’ first operational hours each day to at-risk customers, including senior citizens, individuals with pre-existing health conditions and pregnant women. We urge all other customers to begin their shopping trips at least one hour after the stores open.”
Area Family Dollar stores open at 8 a.m.
Dollar Tree hours vary by location, with most opening at 9 a.m. The Dollar Tree at University Town Centre opens at 8 a.m., according to its website.
Dollar General
Dollar General is also encouraging the use of its stores by seniors and at-risk populations only during the first hour of business.
In a statement by the company’s CEO Todd Vaos, the stores hope other shoppers will wait until later in the day to visit.
All area Dollar General stores open at 8 a.m., according to the company’s store finder.
Big Lots
According to a statement issued by the company, all Big Lots stores reserve the first hour of each day for “our senior citizens and those most vulnerable to this virus.”
Big Lots in Westover opens at 9 a.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. on weekends.
Sam’s Club
According to its website, Sam’s Club offers early shopping hours from 7-9 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday for “seniors and those with disabilities or compromised immune systems. This includes our pharmacy and optical centers and will last until further notice.”
The website also notes a new concierge service available to seniors and other at-risk customers.
“During special shopping hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., these members can shop Sam’s Club without ever leaving their car. From a designated parking location, members in need can place their order from their car, and a Sam’s Club associate will grab the items on the list,” the site reads.
Walgreens
According to its website, Walgreens offers “free shipping for seniors, expanded drive-through services for seniors and a seniors-only hour in-store from 8-9 a.m. every Tuesday,” noting “senior hours are available to senior citizen customers and patients age 55 or older.
Pharmacy hours may differ by location.
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