Supermarket, Grocery & C-Store
• Casey’s General Stores Inc. is offering contactless delivery, low contact checkout, and the ability to pay ahead for carryout items.
• The Fresh Market Inc. is requiring all customers to wear face coverings when shopping in its stores.
• Global Partners LP has introduced a curbside pickup program at its Alltown Fresh stores. Customers can call or order online and their groceries will be brought out to their car.
• Hy-Vee Inc. is offering curbside meals-to-go via digital order at more than 200 locations companywide. Through its “Mealtime To Go” service, customers can order hot, prepared foods or take-and-bake meals.
• The Kroger Co. is offering free drive-thru COVID-19 testing to people in Kentucky.
• Lidl US, LLC launched a new program in Virginia to use its food truck to make special deliveries without any service fees to several retirement communities in the areas.
• QuikTrip Corp. has launched an on-lot pickup service at it’s more than 800 stores. Customers use the QT app to order and the items are delivered to their vehicle.
• Sprouts Farmers Markets is opening three new stores this month, with another scheduled for June, postponing its typical grand-opening events, such as sales and promotions.
• Wakefern Food Corp. will launch a temperature monitoring program for store and warehouse associates.
Retail
• Amazon.com Inc. announced that it will hire an additional 75,000 workers in full and part-time jobs across its fulfillment centers and delivery network.
• Army & Air Force Exchange Service has set up a shop in New York City. The mobile field exchange is located outside the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and is stocked with emergency supplies, toiletries, snacks and drinks.
• Big Lots Inc. has entered into sale and leaseback agreements on its four company-owned distribution centers.
• R.K. Miles Inc. announced that it has postponed its purchase of Allen Lumber Co. Inc. until the end of November.
• Rite Aid Corporation expects to have additional drive-up COVID-19 testing locations open soon at Rite Aid stores in Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
• Tractor Supply Co. announced it has greatly expanded its same-day delivery through a partnership with delivery company Roadie, to include all U.S. locations.
• Walmart Canada announced PayPal is now available for payment on the Walmart Canada e-commerce site.
• Walmart Stores Inc. announced its grocery’s online sales reached nearly $900 million in March, up nearly 100% from March of last year.
Restaurant
• Bloomin’ Brands Inc. has announced that they will be opening a drive-thru only version of their Aussie Grill concept in Lutz, FL in May.
• Cinemark Holdings Inc. has announced that 17,500 employees have been laid off and have furloughed 50% of their headquarter staff.
• Coolgreens has eliminated franchise royalty fees and have introduced family meals.
• Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants Inc. is launching First Responder Relief Packs that can be added to any purchase.
• First Watch Restaurants Inc. has temporarily closed all 309 of its company owned restaurants. The remainder of the franchised restaurants will remain open on a per location basis. The company cited the safety of its employees as the reason for the closures.
• Just Salad LLC has pivoted to selling groceries and they now offer a grocery delivery service for nearby residents.
• Mountain Mike’s Pizza has opened a new location in Eureka, CA. The location will feature contactless delivery and curbside pick-up during the COVID-19 epidemic.
• Noodles & Company has added curbside pickup to 350 of its stores. They are reporting that sales are improving after furloughing 20% of support staff, reducing hours, and having executives take a reduced salary.
• Potbelly Corporation has named Steven Cirulis as CFO and Chief Strategy Officer. Cirulis was part of the team that shifted Potbelly towards selling groceries when restaurants had to shut down.
• White Castle Management Co. is offering free meals to health care workers during the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Wingstop Restaurants Inc. has said that their digital strategy is working as they have seen sales improve from February. They have also seen a spike in average check prices with the addition of family meals.
