Dollar General adjusts store hours, gives seniors priority

Dollar General has followed the lead of other grocery retailers in the U.S to adjust its store hours amid the coronavirus outbreak. With more than 16,094 stores throughout the country, Dollar General is often the only store for consumables in small towns.

Effective Tuesday (March 17), the discount chain designated the first hour of each day solely to the shopping needs of senior citizens, given that demographic is at increased risk to contract the coronavirus.

“In keeping with our mission and our ongoing commitment to serve our communities, we are dedicating the first hour of each day to seniors. We appreciate our customers’ understanding of our decision and request they visit our stores later in the morning to allow at-risk populations the ability to purchase the items they need at affordable prices,” Todd Vasos, Dollar General CEO, said in a statement. “During these unprecedented times, Dollar General is diligently working to meet the ongoing needs of our customers and communities. We are proud to live our mission and provide customers with everyday low prices on the household essentials that are used and replenished most often.”

The retail also said all stores plan to close one hour earlier to allow employees to clean and re-stock store shelves, as well as for their own health and wellbeing. Normal operating hours by individual store locations are available online. 

Dollar General joins Massachusetts-based Stop and Shop, IGA and some grocers in the United Kingdom and Australia to set aside “elderly only” shopping hours as the health officials ask consumers to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people to prevent the spread of COVID-19.