Stores reserve time for area’s at-risk shoppers

As people around the country rush to the grocery store for essential items in as the novel coronavirus spreads through communities, major retailers are reserving shopping time for those considered most at risk during the global outbreak.

Safeway, King Soopers, Target and Whole Foods — among other national chains and independent retailers — are making sure older residents, pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions will be able to shop exclusively during select times of the week.

At Safeway, that means 7 to 9 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday will be reserved for at-risk customers, the store’s parents company, Albertsons, said in a statement last week. Target said it’s reserving the first hour of shopping each Wednesday to support vulnerable guests.

Whole Foods announced it will open its store an hour early each day for shoppers age 60 and older.

King Soopers is reserving its stores, including City Markets, for shoppers age 60 and older 7-8 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

“We are sensitive to the fact that everyone wants to make sure they have the items they need, and we also know that everyone wants their neighbors to stay safe and healthy, too,” Albertsons president and CEO Vivek Sankaran said in a statement. “We are asking our customers to respect these special hours for those who are most at risk in our communities. We thank our customers in advance for their compassion and understanding toward their neighbors and friends, and in helping us maintain this temporary operations guideline.”

Dollar General also is dedicating the first hour of every shopping day to older customers.