grocery store reports (live, prices, shoppers)

[beach43ofus]

Has anyone taken advantage of the senior-only shopping times at any of the stores?

Is it more or less crowded?

I read Wal Mart does theirs right now, Tuesdays 7-8am.

[Veniceman]

My girlfriend went to Publix at the Jacaranda circle this morning. She said it was packed and she had a hard time finding a parking spot. When she entered the store she couldn't get a cart and she noticed that people were lined up at the checkout with full carts. She got there at 7:30 so I guess she should've gone earlier. No doubt that people were lined up outside the store at 7AM like it was Black Friday. I think they are going to have to start auctioning off toilet paper. Given that we have so many seniors in Venice I think Publix may need to rethink these hours.

[bbronston]

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

Thx for the reports all. I have not been out for a while now, so its nice to be kept abreast.

Is anyone wiping down you shopping carts? Not just the handles, but the entire interior?

I was wondering it I brought a spray bottle (old windex strayer) filled with 1/2 bleach, and sprayed it down outside if that would be a wise move??? Is 50% Bleach 50% water too strong?

If you are going to wipe down everything you purchase, anyway, there's probably no advantage in trying to disinfect a cart, even if you were permitted to do so. Besides, the things you place in the cart could already be contaminated and/or someone walking by you could cough or breathe out the virus, anyway. I think it is good to be careful but this stuff can make you nuts if you let it. Thinking about spraying down a shopping cart is probably closer to the nuts end of the spectrum...no offense intended.


I used alcohol spray, though.

[Veniceman]

My girlfriend took wipes to the store but couldn't get a cart to wipe. Her shopping trip lasted all of just the time it took to survey the store. She did buy a gallon of milk though. I think she had to arm wrestle for it.

[graceC]

I haven't encountered a lot of the craziness reported in the news. I've been shopping at Detwilers, usually on Sat afternoon since I work full time. The shop is always full of supplies (even toilet papers) with plenty of shopping carts.

[Avalon08]

I went to the Publix on Manatee in West Bradenton at 4 PM today. I had heard the senior hours were packed, with long lines outside. I can't stand in lines, nor did I want to deal with that madness. I was pleasantly surprised that most of the things I wanted were available. Well, not toilet paper, of course, but there were a few boxes of tissues, so I scarfed up a couple. For some reason, butter was in short supply, both there and at Fresh Market. Milk was plentiful. I was able to get a rotisserie chicken so I can make soup. I didn't look for bread. If you aren't desperate for toilet paper, go later in the day when the crowds are light and it's not crazy.

[beach43ofus]

Originally Posted by Veniceman

My girlfriend went to Publix at the Jacaranda circle this morning. She said it was packed and she had a hard time finding a parking spot. When she entered the store she couldn't get a cart and she noticed that people were lined up at the checkout with full carts. She got there at 7:30 so I guess she should've gone earlier. No doubt that people were lined up outside the store at 7AM like it was Black Friday. I think they are going to have to start auctioning off toilet paper. Given that we have so many seniors in Venice I think Publix may need to rethink these hours.

Thx for this report! Most helpful. I wonder how long it will take for all of this to die down. I am so glad I stocked up 10 days ago so I dont have to deal with that for a while. I think we can make it to April 15th w/ our current provisions.

I'd be afraid to be around so many people. The lines alone, prior to opening, would scare me off.

[beach43ofus]

Until the madness subsides, the grocery stores need to devise a system to even the flow of people to, & through the stores. "Serve by Name"

Monday Last name ending in:
A,B,C,D: 7-8am
E,F,G,H: 8-9am
I,J,K,L: 9-10am
M,N,O,P: 10-11am
Q,R,S,T: 11-12am
U,V,W,X,Y,Z: 12-1pm
A,B,C,D: 1-2pm
E,F,G,H,I:2-3pm
J,K,L,M: 3-4pm
N,O,P,Q: 4-5pm
R,S,T,U: 5-6pm
V,W,X,Y,Z:6-7pm
open shopping: 7-8pm

This would give everyone 3 potential time slots each day. Each day, your time slots would rotate back in time to the next slot, and the last slot goes to the 1st slot. This way, every 6th day, you'd be the 1st group in the door at 7am.

Post large signs/banners, showing letters now being served, high above all entrances, visible from your car that change each hour, show ID at entrance. Hand out a flyer showing this schedule for all days for the next 12 days (2 cycles).

Too confusing? Any other ideas? I think this would only need to continue until April 30th when the snow birds head back North.

[beach43ofus]

Originally Posted by graceC

I haven't encountered a lot of the craziness reported in the news. I've been shopping at Detwilers, usually on Sat afternoon since I work full time. The shop is always full of supplies (even toilet papers) with plenty of shopping carts.

I wont go there right now because their aisles are too cramped, so wont allow 6' of spacing. If the store was nearly empty though...

[beach43ofus]

Originally Posted by Avalon08

I went to the Publix on Manatee in West Bradenton at 4 PM today. I had heard the senior hours were packed, with long lines outside. I can't stand in lines, nor did I want to deal with that madness. I was pleasantly surprised that most of the things I wanted were available. Well, not toilet paper, of course, but there were a few boxes of tissues, so I scarfed up a couple. For some reason, butter was in short supply, both there and at Fresh Market. Milk was plentiful. I was able to get a rotisserie chicken so I can make soup. I didn't look for bread. If you aren't desperate for toilet paper, go later in the day when the crowds are light and it's not crazy.

We hve so many Seniors, maybe we should reverse it and have limited non-Senior times. Trying to cram the most population into a narrow time window sounds like its not working too well.