Best Buy said through its Lemoore store manager, Johnny Perez, that seniors can shop exclusively at its Lemoore store every day from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Best Buy will allow seniors, age 65 and over, early access to its Lemoore store.
A Save Mart spokesperson said that the company is asking other guests to allow seniors and vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems, primary access to their stores during these times.
Lemoore's major supermarkets, like most markets in America currently coping with the coronavirus bug, seem to be handling its effects well. And except for a few essential items – toilet paper, bottled water, and maybe a carton or two of eggs and bread – Lemoore's grocery store customers seem to be handling it well too, say local store managers and spokespersons.
The bread, the eggs, the water, and the toilet paper are still in abundance, but early on, some shoppers seemed to be loading up on the items before store officials began limiting their purchases.
While some shoppers apparently bore down on the few items mentioned, customers certainly don't seem to be stocking up for an apocalypse.
While the local markets reported stocked shelves, all of them are taking other precautions, like placing more emphasis on assuring the store remains clean and mostly germ-free, quite the chore due the number of everyday shoppers.
"Our produce is filled, meats are filled, and milk is good," reported Lemoore Best Buy Market's manager, Johnny Perez. He admits that initially, customers seemed to be stocking up on certain items, but that has changed. "We're limiting our customers to certain items and products," he said. The limits mostly apply to toilet paper and water. "We want to make sure we have enough for all our customers."
He's been pleased with the reaction. "It's busy, and it's going well. Everybody is understanding. Business is up a lot."
However, one important change was in the store's hours. The old hours were 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Recently the store changed its hours to 8 a.m. through 8 p.m., allowing store employees to spend more time disinfecting store aisles, cash registers, floors, and more.
Lemoore's Save Mart also seems to be coping well. A recent stroll through the store on Sunday saw mostly empty bread shelves, but that was about it. Like most markets early on, customers seemed to stock up on water and paper products.
Save Mart operates nearly 250 stores in California and Northern Nevada. The company's CEO, Nicole Pesco, issued a press release committing the company to make sure fresh and healthy products remain on the shelves. "Your family and your home – and I want you to know we won't let you down now. In this time of uncertainty, I want to assure you we are going to extra lengths to keep your family safe."
Pesco indicated that the company has stepped up the intensity of its store cleaning, focusing on shopping carts, check stands and service counters, as well as the stores' backrooms, break rooms, and warehouses. "Our teams have been reminded of best practices for safe food handling and continue to work with the utmost diligence," she said.
She also said that the company's stores are working around the clock to keep the 250 stores stocked and working overtime to ensure that any out-of-stock personal hygiene or household cleaning items are replenished as quickly as possible. "So, if we're missing something, visit the store the next day, as it may be back on the shelf," she said.
She has also asked the company's employees to monitor their own health and to remain at home if they are sick.
Save Mart also has a home delivery service available in all of its stores via Instacard, and, in selected markets, shoppers can also order online to pick up at the store.
Victoria Castro, the company's public affairs manager, also confirmed that the company is seeking employees. "We are now looking to hire 1,000 additional positions in our FoodMaxx and Save Mart stores throughout California, as well as warehouses in Roseville and Merced to help keep up with the demand," she said.
The jobs include in-store positions, drivers, and warehouse team members. For more about what jobs are available in each location, visit the company's website at https://www.thesavemartcompanies.com/careers/.
