Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 20, 2020 Supermarkets packed as nervous shoppers face COVID-19 threat Stop & Shop say’s stocks will be replenished; health, safety prioritized By Tara Vocino W ith the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) well underway, grocery stores in Malden and nationwide are affected with long lines and some empty shelves. At Stop & Shop supermarkets in Malden, Revere, Saugus and Everett last Friday afternoon, the story was the same: Lines were long, and food staples normally sought for blizzards, such as dairy and meat, were being replaced by eggs, toilet paper and hand sanitizer leaving store shelves temporarily empty. But store managers say everyone should remain calm as supplies will be replenished immediately. “Some health and beauty care products as well as cleaning products – including Purell hand sanitizer and Lysol disinfecting wipes – are limited in supply on a national level,” Stop & Shop External Communications and Community Relations Manager Maria Fruci wrote in an email last Friday night. “At this time, fixed amounts of those products are being distributed to U.S. retailers.” Simultaneously, Stop & Shop’s sales trends were boosted locally as well as nationally. “Stop & Shop is seeing increased sales on items, like hand sanitizers, disinfecting wipes, Lysol sprays, bleach, antibacterial soap and other cleaning products, along with non-perishable items, like rice, canned soups, canned vegetables, and pasta sauce,” Fruci wrote. Despite rising sales, their top The egg shelves were bare except for this sole container containing broken eggshells. (Advocate Photo by Tara Vocino) priority is the safety and health of associates and customers. Stop & Shop has amplified its cleaning and sanitizing efforts to ensure customers can shop with confidence. “Upon entering all our stores, disinfecting wipes are available near the entrance, and customers are welcome to wipe down carriages, hand baskets, and ScanIt! devices before use,” Fruci wrote. “Our associates are frequently wiping down self-service locations and checkout areas with disinfectant – this includes the belts and pin pads at our registers.” Besides routine handwashing and hand sanitizing, the store has suspended food sampling programs, in-store events, and community solicitation until Stop & Shop announces reduced hours, special shopping times for elderly Special to The Advocate I n order to allow more time for associates to unload deliveries, stock shelves and better serve customers throughout the day, Stop & Shop has adjusted its hours of operation to 7:30 a.m.8:00 p.m. at most stores beginning March 16. Effective on March 19, Stop & Shop has hours specifically geared to accommodate customers 60 and older. Stop & Shop stores will open from 6 a.m.7:30 a.m. only for customers over the age of 60, who the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health officials say are the most vulnerable. Stop & Shop is making the decision to allow community members in this age category to shop in a less crowded environment, which better enables social distancing. Although Stop & Shop will not be requesting ID for entry, they request that we all respect the purpose of the early opening – and do the right thing for older neighbors. Stop & Shop will reserve the right to ask customers to leave if they are not a member of this age group. Stop & Shop is continuing to maintain high levels of hygiene and sanitation in its stores and online operations. The store is taking additional measures during this time, which include wiping down checkout areas, including the belts and pin pads, with disinfectant even more frequently. Stop & Shop will continue to follow guidance from the CDC to help keep its customers and associates safe. The Everett Stop & Shop was swamped with customers last Friday afternoon. (Advocate Photo by Christopher Roberson) further notice. Per company policy, local managers couldn’t be interviewed or photographed. Fruci couldn’t say whether customers were friendlier because of the lull or hyped up out of fear. But she did say that they do their best to support customers while keeping them safe and healthy. Customer Ed Anglin, who said he didn’t feel any panic, said there was a shortage of white vinegar and cleaning supplies, but overall, that the store was in good shape. He just returned from Venezuela and noticed people coughing in the airports. Many Stop & Shop customers had masks on. As far as toilet paper and other necessities, Fruci went on to say that the store is in close contact with suppliers, and as soon Stop & Shop associates were seen disinfecting supplies on Monday afternoon. (Photo Courtesy of Stop & Shop) as quantities become available to Stop & Shop, associates will work quickly to restock shelves and make them available to customers. “We’re also working swiftly to identify similar, alternative products and brands that may be available in the marketplace to ensure our customers have access to the items for which they are looking,” Fruci wrote. “In many cases, manufacturers are also ramping up productions.” Supermarkets plan restocking, lines long but manageable Self-serve stations are temporarily closed, but prepackaged options are still available throughout the store. A masked shopper checks out meat on Tuesday afternoon at Stop & Shop in Malden. (Advocate Photos by Tara Vocino) A shopper with a mask walks into the parking lot at Stop & Shop on Tuesday afternoon. A masked s ho p p e r w al k s down the meat aisle pushing a carriage.
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