Walmart said on its corporate blog on Wednesday, “Our stores will have limits for customers in certain categories including paper products, milk, eggs, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, water, diapers, wipes, formula and baby food.” This is in response to panic buying amid the widening coronavirus pandemic.
Although manufacturers report no shortages on most products stores are struggling to keep shelves stocked with that and other essentials because of panic buying and hoarding.
Because of the surge in panic buying, stores are changing their hours to give workers more time to restock their shelves. Walmart said it will adjust the hours for some stores, and also temporarily close its auto centers so workers can be redirected to restocking and cleaning its stores.
Walmart, which had already cut its hours to 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., said its locations will now be open to customers from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Stores that open later than 7 a.m. will continue with those hours, it added.
The company also said it will host one-hour of “senior shopping” on Tuesdays for people who are 60 and older, starting one hour before stores open. The senior shopping service will run from March 24 through April 28.
It’s about time! I’ve seen WalMart allow people to take MORE than needed while others have none.