Since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, we've all seen pictures of long lines at grocery stores and carts overloaded with toilet paper. Is your store experiencing "panic" buying? What items have been selling out?
Rick responded emphatically that "yes" Pioneer Grocery is definitely experiencing panic buying. People are buying large quantities of toilet paper, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizers, disinfection wipes and other paper products. Staple food items such as rice, beans, potatoes and canned goods have been hard to keep in stock. Bakeries aren't able to keep up with the demand for bread. Milk and eggs are also selling out. The store has not been able to keep up with the overall demand. People are worried about school and business closures and possible quarantines and are responding by stocking up on supplies.
Melanie confirmed that Thriftway is also facing panic buying. Concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak seem to have spiked when the school closures were announced. For several days shopping reached extreme levels. Since last Friday the frenzy has started to taper off. She reported that in addition to toilet paper - wipes, paper towels, over the counter medicines like cough syrup, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizers, canned goods, frozen foods, dried beans, ramen are in high demand and short supply. Milk and other dairy products are also in short supply. There are signs posted throughout the store limiting high demand products to two items per customer. "Many of our shelves are bare." However, Melanie commented Thriftway has a new egg supplier and they have not run short of eggs!
Are you experiencing supply chain problems?
Mike emphasized that Pioneer Grocery's "whole supply chain has been shocked." Many of their usual products are unavailable or in short supply. Stocks of toilet paper have been totally depleted; there is none to be had. The good news is that their supplier just called to inform them that the shortages are short term. They expect to deliver normal quantities this week and begin to catch up on the shorted products within about two weeks.
Thriftway is experiencing similar supply shortages. Melanie gave an example of a recent order she had placed for 2,000 items including canned goods, ramen and soups; they received a shipment of only 400 items. In another order of 500 frozen food items, only 114 were delivered. Thriftway's suppliers are also indicating that they expect normal quantities of standard products to be available within several weeks. Fresh produce has not been significantly impacted. Melanie guesses that this may be partially due to the closure of restaurants; the produce that was allocated to them is now available to the grocery stores.
Your employees, especially the cashiers, are in close contact with the public all day long. Are there steps you are taking to prevent their exposure to the virus?
Both Thriftway and Pioneer Grocery cashiers keep hand sanitizer at the checkout stands. Checkout counters, cash registers, credit card readers, keyboards, baskets, grocery carts and other surfaces are all wiped with disinfectants regularly throughout the day. They also sanitize the stores every evening after closing. The staff at both stores are committed to following the guidance for maintaining hygiene standards and to keeping the stores open to serve the community. They recognize that they are providing an "essential service." Rick gives a "shout out" to grocery store workers for their dedication.
People, especially older people and people with health problems, are being strongly advised to stay at home to avoid contracting or spreading COVID-19.
Grocery delivery could provide a service to these people. Are you considering delivering groceries?
At this time neither store plans to begin delivering groceries. Rick indicated that Pioneer has their hands more than full working to keep the store open and stocked. However, he noted that a number of volunteers have offered to deliver groceries to the elderly or people with health issues. As far as he knows, no one has yet asked for grocery delivery. Pioneer has accommodated several requests to meet people at the curb with their groceries.
Melanie explained that grocery delivery would be an entirely new business arena with its own insurance, staffing and vehicle requirements, which Thriftway is currently not equipped to handle.
Have you seen an increase in your business since our local restaurants have been closed?
Rick said increased grocery sales due to the closure of bars and restaurants would be hard to separate from the ongoing increased shopping due to virus concerns. Everything is all "melded together." But he said that beer sales have gone up noticeably.
Melanie also confirmed a clear increase in their overall sales, but can't separate increases due to "panic" buying from buying due to restaurant closures. She noted that Thriftway sells liquor. There's been a definite increase over the past week in their sales of alcohol.
What hours is your store open? Are you considering changing these hours to accommodate seniors and those at a higher risk of infection?
Rick explained that Pioneer Grocery is now opening at 7:00 a.m., an hour earlier than normal, on Tuesdays and Thursdays to serve seniors and others with health problems. Normal hours have been 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sundays. The first early opening was busy with three checkout lanes open. Rick encourages people at higher risk to shop first thing in the morning or just before closing; these are the times that few normally shop. Pioneer Grocery keeps customers informed by posting information on Facebook.
Thriftway's hours have been 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Melanie said that the store hours have been changed; they are now closing at 9:00 p.m. This gives the staff time to thoroughly clean and sanitize the store. She encourages higher risk people to shop when the store first opens, since it has just been sanitized and there are very few others who shop at that time. She also reminds seniors that Thriftway gives them a 5% discount on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Do you have anything that you would like to tell the community?
Rick advises people to be patient; panic doesn't help. Grocery stores and gas stations are not going to close. Stores are doing their best. Hopefully, supplies will be back to normal soon.
Melanie observed that the panic buying here was less severe than in many other places. She sees the community pulling together and caring for each other through this crisis.