Shopping at local stores eases a little
CHICO >> After days of massive crowds, long lines and constant buying, shoppers seemed to ease up Saturday.
Many big-chain stores in Butte County, including Costco, Winco Foods, Target and Raley’s, reported having significantly fewer customers Saturday compared to the last week. Possibly a sign that shoppers have stocked up on their necessities, said East Avenue Raley’s team lead Ben Stoner.
“It’s been steadily going down all day,” Stoner said.
At the Safeway on West Sacramento Avenue, the store remained fairly mellow all day and paper towels were still available as of 3:30 p.m.
Costco Supervisor Jennifer, who declined to give her last name, called the store “dead” around 2 p.m. and said the morning rush was much less than previous days.
The Safeway on East Avenue faced its largest crowd from job applicants as they held a hiring fair.
Applicants filled out a pre-screening form and then asked to social distance themselves from the store while they waited to hear their name called on the intercom.
Raley’s and Safeway are hiring thousands of workers across California due to the coronavirus demand.
Safeway’s hiring event will continue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. next Saturday at 1366 East Ave.
Supply updates
Despite the drop-off in shoppers, many retailers still dealt with empty shelves of high-demand items and no way of knowing when new shipments would arrive.
Stoner said his Raley’s hasn’t received paper products or hand sanitizers since last weekend.
He hoped a shipment of both would come Saturday night.
Likewise, Winco Foods hasn’t stocked toilet paper, pasta or rice in two days. New items arrive at the store nightly but depend on their warehouse’s supply.
Winco employees were unable to confirm when the store would receive items not currently available. Safeway and Costco find themselves in a similar situation as workers are kept in the dark about shipments until they arrive in the morning.
All four stores mentioned above recommend calling before their opening hours for specific information on item availability.
Walmart restocks all items, including high-demand ones, every morning.
Shopping for seniors
Several grocery stores are adding designated times for senior-only shopping and those most vulnerable to COVID-19.
• Winco Foods will offer its hours from 6 to 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Target’s special hours are 8to 9a.m. Wednesdays.
• Walmart will host an hourlong senior shopping event starting at 7a.m. Tuesdays.
• Costco’s designated hours will be 8to 9a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Raley’s does not have senior hours but does offer “senior essential bags” available for a discounted price. Priced at $20 or $35, the bags contain a mix of fresh and pantry items.
They can be picked up curbside or in the store.
Chico’s Safeway, Raley’s, Walmart and Costco recommend calling before opening hours for specific information on item availability.
Temporary hours moving forward
• Winco Foods: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Costco: 9:30a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
• Walmart: 7a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Target: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Safeway: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Raley’s: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.