CT Coronavirus: Big Box Stores Make Big Changes

MANCHESTER, CT — Several big box retailers have sent out advisories — and assurances that the business show will go on — to Connecticut customers in relation to concerns over coronavirus.

Connecticut as of Wednesday had been spared the worst of the outbreak. Two residents have contracted the virus, compared to nearly 200 in New York.

Three major retailers — Target, Best Buy and Walmart — sent notices to customers on Wednesday via e-mail or their corporate websites. Here is an overview:

Target

• The retailer is "adding hours to each store’s payroll" so cleaning on surfaces like checkout lanes and touchscreens can occur at least every 30 minutes.
• The chain has temporarily stopped food sampling in stores.
• Staff members have been moved to support in-demand services like order pickup and drive-up.
• Management is encouraging "sick team members" to stay home and staffers are traveling "only if it’s business critical."
• A forum has been set up for taking questions 24/7.
• As demand for cleaning products, medicine, pantry stock-up items and more remains high, products are being sent to stores "as quickly as possible."
• Beginning this weekend, Target is limiting "the number of key items per purchase, which will allow more guests to get what they need."

Best Buy

• The chain has "ramped up" cleaning services at all stores and is adding hand sanitizer stations at front entrances and all cash registers.
• Sanitizing wipes are near workstations and counters so "employees can keep them continuously cleaned."
• The chain is "closely following" the Centers for Disease Control's guidelines and recommendations on steps to help prevent the spread of the virus.
• Management has "shared specific instructions with employees on the importance of washing hands and staying home if they feel sick or are returning from an area of the world identified as posing a Coronavirus-related risk."
• Per CDC recommendations, mangement is asking employees who have traveled to such locations or have been exposed to others who have traveled to such locations to self-quarantine for 14 days.
• A strict travel policy for our employees is in place, and the company has canceled meetings with large gatherings.
• The chair is promoting, for customers who "don't feel well, or choose not to visit a store," to use BestBuy.com or the Best Buy app.
• Customers with scheduled in-home consultations, deliveries, installations or repairs with us can reschedule appointments at no additional cost or call 1‑888‑BEST‑BUY wirth concerns.

See related: Coronavirus CT: 3rd Person Tests Positive, 'Many' To Come, Health Officials Say

Coronavirus In CT: Here Are All The Cancellations, Closures

Walmart

• Stores are being cleaned daily, and that includes using sanitizing solutions in "high-touch, high-traffic areas."
• Stores have an "increased associate focus on cleaning" and have dedicated an associate to "maintain key areas throughout the day."
• Walmart has experienced "increased foot traffic," so it's "sending additional cleaning supplies for use in places like the registers and on shopping carts."
• The chain is "pursuing easier ways to sanitize shopping carts."Plans are in place for "third-party sanitization," should it be needed "for a store impacted by the virus."
• Management is evaluating "whether to modify store hours at some 24-hour facilities to allow for additional cleaning."
• Stores should be "stocked" and prices will be kept "fair."
• With paper products, cleaning supplies and related items in high demand, management is "working to replenish those items quickly, including diverting products to areas of the country where they are needed most and routing deliveries directly to stores."
• Mangement has authorized store managers to "manage their inventory," including the giving them the discretion to "limit sales quantities on items that are in unusually high demand."
• With online shopping, Walmart is "taking a firm stance related to the potential for price gouging by third-party sellers." Violations of Walmart's Seller Pricing Policy and Seller Prohibited Items Policy "will not be tolerated and will be resolved quickly." Those noticing it can report your concerns here.
• As the largest employer in the country, Walmart has directed "any associate who is not feeling well to stay home" and has a new policy that gives employees "additional flexibility to stay home if they are not feeling well, and pay options and support if they are affected by the virus."
• Walmart has instituted additional guidelines pertaining to company travel over the "next couple of months."
• The chain is promoting shopping and pickup via Walmart.com. A statement read, "Many of you are already taking advantage of these services. If you’re not, this could be a good time to try online delivery or our store pickup options or to use the Walmart Pay feature of our app when paying at the register."