# Help me understand part-time groery store closures **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 21, 2020, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-part-time-groery-store-closures/849983 "2020-03-21T22:15:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-part-time-groery-store-closures/849983/41 "2020-03-23T10:37:53Z")
> [@ambushed](#): > > I gotta believe there’s something wrong with my thinking since this is happening more and more. So does anyone know a truly valid and rational explanation? Hi. I work at a grocery store. Actually, it’s a big box store but we make most of our money on groceries (no, it’s not Wal-Mart) We normally run 24/7. We now have reduced hours. The following is not an official communication from my employer, just what I see from my perspective. Normally, overnight, while we continue to serve customers there aren’t many so most of what the night crew does is re-stock and clean. That is in normal times. But for two weeks the night hours, even the 2 am and 3 am time slots, are seeing as many customers as a typical daytime afternoon. That means the people there to stock/clean were instead at cash registers checking out customers leaving them no time to stock or clean. Also, we’re starting to see our own people get sick, leaving us less staff. Normally, we get 2-5 call offs a day for the whole store. The most recent list I saw had at least 15 names on it. Draw your own conclusions. By closing to customers overnight the night shift can get their stocking and cleaning done, and we can use our remaining healthy staff to serve customers adequately during our reduced hours of operation. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-part-time-groery-store-closures/849983/42 "2020-03-23T10:46:25Z")
> [@ambushed](#): > > I’m a night owl and almost always shop around 2 am. When I went to the nearby 24-hour Walmart superstore and found that they had closed at 8:30 pm, I decided to look inside to see what I could see. > > There was not a single person visible. And since I usually shop around 2 am – during the regular restocking hours – so I know how it would look if that’s what was happening. It most emphatically did not look like anything at all was happening inside. Furthermore, there were only three cars in the parking lot. And while I admit I didn’t check to see if there was parking in back, during all my other early morning shopping trips, there were cars a plenty. > > ETA: There’s another 24-hour grocery store near me, and it looked the same as Walmart, although I’m pretty there’s employee parking in back that I didn’t check. > > But again, I’m not defending any particular explanation. Perhaps I missed something important. Yes, you missed something. First, you state you didn’t check “in the back” for employee parking. At my store they actually did change where we are supposed to park recently so if you were looking for us in the usual place you wouldn’t see us. Second, if everyone employed at a particular time is in the back/loading dock unloading a truck that just came in you wouldn’t see anyone looking in the front doors. Those stores are huge places and it’s easy to miss seeing the people inside if they’re somewhere not in line-of-sight of windows or with shelves/product between them and doors/windows. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-part-time-groery-store-closures/849983/43 "2020-03-23T11:36:27Z")
Last week I went to a local bank to drop off a deposit from work and I was surprised that they weren’t shut down other than the drive through. I asked the teller about this and she said they were all pissed off about it. I sent an angry email to the bank, asking why they weren’t doing more to protect the tellers. Likely coincidental, but the next day I got an email explaining that they are now only manning the drive though, exception by appointment only. ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-part-time-groery-store-closures/849983/44 "2020-03-23T11:57:22Z")
My daughter works in the bakery of her local (rural / small college town) supermarket. They went from open 6am - 10pm to 8am - 8pm. They have hired workers and shifted regular workers to overnights for deep cleaning and stocking. In the bakery, the morning hours are still the same as if they opened at 6am due to the increase of production. Instead of closing the bakery at 8pm, they’re now closing at 7pm, so only one hour loss in their department. The hot deli section is closed. Those employees have been moved to other areas for the duration. She stated by 8pm the semis are already rolling in, the independent distributors are bringing in stock, it’s a machine. They have a delivery program that is so busy, if you were to order today, the first delivery is Thursday. This past Saturday morning, I decided to take advantage of the senior / vulnerable shopping hour provided by my local higher end grocery store (I’m immuno-compromised). What a major clusterfuck. They opened at 7am. I got there at 715am and the place was absolutely packed. Unfortunately, there were a fair amount of independent distributors attempting to re-stock, more than a few people still being massively greedy, and the overall stupidity of people made me leave without purchasing anything. Went back in the afternoon and it was 100% more pleasant. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-part-time-groery-store-closures/849983/45 "2020-03-23T14:57:29Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > … Our local grocery store is no longer allowing re-usable bags, insisting that you use their plastic bags. Which is (a) not helpful, and (b) actually harmful on environmental grounds. (I mean, on the off chance that your canvas bag has the virus clinging to it, wouldn’t your clothes have the same?)… Interesting. Our grocery store is doing the exact opposite: they are really encouraging people to bring their own bags because their demand has been si high for everything, they were concerned about the possibility of running out. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-part-time-groery-store-closures/849983/46 "2020-03-24T10:32:15Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Which is (a) not helpful, and (b) actually harmful on environmental grounds. (I mean, on the off chance that your canvas bag has the virus clinging to it, wouldn’t your clothes have the same?) The grocery clerk doesn’t touch your clothes while filing the bags (at least, not in grocery stores I frequent!). If you’re infected, it could be on the bags, which they touch while they fill them. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-part-time-groery-store-closures/849983/47 "2020-03-24T11:03:39Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > The grocery clerk doesn’t touch your clothes while filing the bags (at least, not in grocery stores I frequent!). If you’re infected, it could be on the bags, which they touch while they fill them. But as I walk down the street carrying the bags, the bags rub against my pants and the handles rub against my shirt. Are you saying a virus couldn’t transfer from the bags to my pants or shirt this way? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-part-time-groery-store-closures/849983/48 "2020-03-24T13:38:25Z")
I don’t know, but that’s after the grocery clerk has filled them and given them to you. By using plastic bags, the clerk never touches anything that you’ve touched. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-part-time-groery-store-closures/849983/49 "2020-03-24T14:37:16Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > The grocery clerk doesn’t touch your clothes while filing the bags (at least, not in grocery stores I frequent!). If you’re infected, it could be on the bags, which they touch while they fill them. This didn’t occur to me, as I always bag my own groceries. ---
**Author:** ![Brayne\_Ded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-part-time-groery-store-closures/849983/50 "2020-03-24T16:22:09Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Another grocery store question: the store I usually go to has two entrances. One of them is now closed, forcing everyone to go in and out through a single set of doors. I’m not sure I understand how that’s supposed to help? So as to run the gauntlet of helpers and be greeted by a dollop of diluted ethanol on your paws? ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-part-time-groery-store-closures/849983/51 "2020-03-25T00:22:25Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Normally, overnight, while we continue to serve customers there aren’t many so most of what the night crew does is re-stock and clean. That is in normal times. But for two weeks the night hours, even the 2 am and 3 am time slots, are seeing as many customers as a typical daytime afternoon. That means the people there to stock/clean were instead at cash registers checking out customers leaving them no time to stock or clean. This is a really important observation. Normally a 24-hour store can count on there being not much traffic in the wee hours. When people are regularly buying up all the stock, though, you’re going to get traffic spikes whenever the trucks arrive, which is going to be problematic. Better to just close down to restock and have more predictable traffic patterns. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-part-time-groery-store-closures/849983/52 "2020-03-25T01:25:02Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > The employees in grocery stores are affected just as much as everyone else. They have kids who aren’t at school. They may have spouses who have lost jobs, elderly parents who need help, like food and vital supplies brought to them rather than leaving home. > > On top of that, the supply system is disrupted. They have to learn and apply new cleaning and disinfecting techniques. > > There’s also the fatigue factor for those working under new and stressful conditions, where no matter how much social distancing is tried, they are dealing with large numbers of the public, more than most other people. > > Frankly, I’m amazed that such a vital essential service is still functioning. Shorter hours is a reasonable way to deal with a tired workforce. > > \*\*I’m very grateful to the food stores and all their employees for doing so well in a time of crisis. > > They are probably the single most essential service.\*\* I’m not the only one who feels this way. Check out today’s [editorial cartoon](https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorial_cartoon/2020/03/24/theo-moudakis-superheroes.html) in the _Toronto Star_. Thanks, **Broomstick** , and any other retail Dopers working to keep us fed and healthy! ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-part-time-groery-store-closures/849983/53 "2020-03-25T02:26:06Z")
I’ve been avoiding stores for over a week now, between fearing the frenzied crowds and having developed ominous symptoms on Friday myself (I do not qualify for testing at this point. I’m only 50, no prior health issues, no known contact with a tested positive). One problem I’m hearing from people I know who do work in retail is outright abuse from customers, especially cashiers/managers who have to enforce quantity limits so the hoarders have to leave some for others. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-part-time-groery-store-closures/849983.md?page=2)