Business & Tech
Market Basket Reducing Hours Due To Coronavirus
One of the region's largest supermarket chains is joining others that are helping workers recharge — with some stores increasing wages, too.
TEWKSBURY, MA — Market Basket, one of the largest supermarket chains in New England, is adjusting its hours due to the new coronavirus. The company's CEO, Arthur T. Demoulas, made the announcement Saturday, saying the daily three-hour reduction was in the best interests of employees and customers. Beginning Monday, Market Basket will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
"We are committed to serve our customers and community in the best possible way during this challenging time," Demoulas said. "The adjusted closing hour of 6 p.m. is to provide our hard-working associates the opportunity to rest and recharge, while we utilize the evening hours to stock and prepare our stores for the next day's business."
The announcement came just days after the chain introduced shopping hours for seniors. Those hours, exclusively for customers aged 60 and older, run Tuesday through Thursday from 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m.
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"The heart and soul and stamina of the Market Basket team along with the tremendous support and understanding of our customers is remarkable and greatly appreciated," Demoulas added.
Market Basket isn't the only store to change hours or add hours for seniors.
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BJ's Wholesale Club announced a shopping time period for seniors in New Hampshire beginning Sunday.
Walmarts around the region are moving to new hours of operation, too. While each store varies, most are moving to daily hours of 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Starting Tuesday, the Walmart in Concord, New Hampshire, will have a senior shopping hour for customers who are 60-plus from 6 to 7 a.m.
A number of associates at Walmart Saturday at the location said the company had also established hours for associates to shop and were issuing bonuses to workers early. Some were allowed flexible time, too, to tend to family issues in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
WBZ Radio reported Saturday that both Target and Stop & Shop were issuing pay increases and sick leave for its employees. In the case of Target, it's a $2 an hour increase through at least May 2.
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