As big-box grocery stores like Walmart and Target make more adjustments to their normal protocols in order to protect employees and customers during the coronavirus pandemic, some local St. Louis grocery stores are following suit with added safety measures.
Schnucks is now offering an online shopping traffic resource so customers can see how long lines are to get into stores limiting the number of guests allowed. The chain announced last week that customers are prohibited from using reusable shopping bags in stores as a precautionary measure. The grocery store is also encouraging customers to wear face masks while shopping. Earlier this month, Schnucks announced that one person per household at a time would be allowed in the store.
Local international grocery store United Provisions has also been adjusting safety routines. Shayn Prapaisilp, a co-owner of United Provisions, said that along with limiting the number of customers in the store, they have also taken steps to protect employees.
“We’re constantly wiping down our shopping carts and baskets with antibacterial wipes pretty much after every customer use,” Prapaisilp said. “Our frontline staff and checkers are wearing masks and gloves just like our kitchen and produce staff. We’ve been fortunate to be able to continue to source antibacterial wipes, masks and gloves to provide to our employees.”
Prapaisilp, who also owns Global Foods Market and Jay International Foods with his parents, said that he has noticed a change of pace in shoppers since the stay-at-home order was issued.
“Being a grocery store, we’ve been fortunate to have a good flow of customers as we are an essential business,” Prapaisilp said. “We’ve definitely noticed a change of shopping habits, however, as people who might have shopped three to five times a week are now coming in once a week or even once every two weeks. We’ve also adjusted our store hours, closing earlier so that we can send our staff home earlier.”
Dierbergs has also implemented a policy of one person from a household per shopping cart. Each Dierbergs location is also limiting the number of customers at a time, along with encouraging customers to wear masks while shopping. In March, Dierbergs installed plexiglass dividers in checkout lanes to protect employees and customers.
Erin Killion is an editorial intern at Sauce Magazine.
This article appears in April 2020.