Kroger making changes for shoppers who want to come in and those who don’t
Kroger announced that it is making more changes designed to protect customers and employees during the coronavirus pandemic.
The country’s largest grocery chain announced on Friday in an email to shoppers that stores will accept SNAP benefits at curbside pickup service.
In a video posted online, Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen said that some regions already are allowing customers to pay with the benefit cards; all stores in the Kroger family will accept SNAP cards at Clicklist by the end of April. This will allow more shoppers to stay out of stores altogether.
“Kroger is rolling out a payment capability across our nearly 2,800 grocery stores to allow more customers to access fresh, affordable food and essentials through our Pickup service,” McMullen said in the release. “We are committed to supporting all families as we work together with our associates and communities and government agencies and health organizations to flatten the curve during this unprecedented pandemic.”
Kroger changes inside
Kroger also is making changes inside the stores: McMullen said that Kroger also is changing its Scan, Bag, Go shopping option. Customers now will be allowed to scan items on their own phone, place in their own bags in carts and pay via the app at the register, so no one else handles your groceries. Previously shoppers had to use a scanning device supplied by the store.
Kroger also has put in place capacity checks at stores, limiting the number of customers who can come in at any one time. Many stores also have special early morning hours for seniors and medically vulnerable customers.
Walmart accepts SNAP curbside
Walmart also announced last week a program to begin accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for curbside grocery pickup.
Before the pandemic, about 40 million people in the U.S. participated in SNAP, according to the USDA. The move to online SNAP shopping is one that the USDA has been working on for several years.
Grocery worker safety
McMullen said all workers will be encouraged to wear masks and other kinds of protective equipment.
Walmart and Sam’s Club announced on Friday that store workers, distribution center workers and corporate office employees must start wearing face coverings beginning April 20. Walmart said shoppers are encouraged to wear face masks, too. The Fresh Market began requiring store employees and customers to wear face masks on April 14.
Kroger has joined the United Food and Commercial Workers union in calling for grocery workers to be designated “first responders,” which would help them access personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks. At least four Kroger employees across the chain have died; in Kentucky, at least 13 have tested positive for coronavirus, including an employee at the Leestown Road store in Lexington.
In Kentucky, Kroger also has set up free COVID-19 testing, beginning in Frankfort.
The store reported that sales jumped more than 30 percent in March, largely due to pandemic stockpiling. To cope with increased online shopping and delivery, Kroger has hired more than 32,700 employees and has instituted a $2-per-hour “hero bonus” pay increase through April.
Kroger also announced on Monday that it will establish an Emergency COVID-19 Response Fund to distribute $10 million into relief efforts locally.
