As a response to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases across the U.S., Wegmans issued guidelines and safety measures to manage shopping crowds during the holiday season.
The grocery chain has placed purchase limits on 14 everyday items in an attempt to prevent item shortages caused by consumer hoarding, an issue seen widely during the first wave of the coronavirus.
Paper towels, facial tissues, toilet paper, disinfecting wipes and sprays, disposable paper plates, trash bags, freezer bags, and food storage bags are all limited to one product per purchase, according to the Wegmans announcement. Napkins, aluminum foil, household cleaning products, and items containing Famotidine are limited to two products per purchase.
Wegmans peanut butter rounds out the list, also limited to two items per purchase. PYMNTS previously reported that pizza is “the food of the pandemic” — but perhaps peanut butter should be added to the list.
Other chains, such as Walmart, Publix, Kroger, and Giant Food have instated similar purchase restrictions recently.
In announcing the purchase limits, Wegmans also reiterated its social distancing measures and face covering policy, which requires customers to abide by local or state mandates.
The rise in coronavirus cases has taken its toll on the already weakened economy, triggering new reductions in business hours and new commercial lockdowns, PYMNTS recently reported, citing the Financial Times.
“The vaccine news, the pent-up savings, the possibility of coming back to a new normal in six months’ time are all very encouraging, and a source of optimism, but they do nothing for us today,” Gregory Daco, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, told FT.
The accelerating cases are triggering further reductions in business operating hours and new commercial lockdowns, yet there has not been news of additional financial assistance from the federal government.
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