grocery store reports (Sarasota, Ocala, Venice: live in, price, groceries)

[motordavid]

My CEO did another short 'get outta the house' run to Laurel Rd Publix, this morning:
-they had PT, both Brawny & Bounty in 'large' roll 6 packs, one pkg to a customer; like finding a gold doubloon on the beach, lol!

-No salmon of any species; we were Jonesing for salmon. Other fish was just so-so she said, though they did have swordfish if one likes eating 'baby sword'.
-Meat counter closed, but meat cases were full: good.
-Not too crowded and easy to keep distance, she said.

Chased the ball again this morning: temps were decent for first few holes, (for my less than hot liking), but hazy sun peaked through and RH cranked up.
Stay Safe,
GL, mD

[MattMN]

Originally Posted by beach43ofus

Great report Matt...thx! Costco's all over it....even the restrooms! Classy company.

How many people were in the check out line in front of you, and did you feel you were far enough away from others during the check-out process?

What capacity was the parking lot at that time? Did you have to park over by Sears, and back several rows?

Was everyone wearing masks? Costco employees? Customers?

It was not busy at all. I arrived shortly after 5pm and was probably checking out around 6pm, and they close at 6:30pm. Plenty of lanes open, with 1 person waiting and 1 checking out in each line, so minimal waits.

I thought I was keeping my distance standing near the front edge of the belt while the person was paying, but they told me to move farther back to some yellow line. So plenty of distancing in practice at checkout!

Lot was the least-full I've ever seen it. I parked on the liquor store side (which was also open), and got a spot in the first full horizontal row, where I usually park. Plenty of parking spots around.

I wore a mask, and I'd say the majority of people were. But not everyone, not even all the workers. So it must be optional.

[Sunshine Rules]

For the first time in weeks, the Walmart neighborhood store at State Rd 70 & Lockwood Ridge in south Manatee county had the entire aisle of paper products fully stocked for toilet paper and paper towels!

What was even more shocking, shoppers were not rushing to grab tp or pt, a few had items in their carts but most people were walking by that aisle without stopping. My guess is a lot of people have enough toilet paper at home to last thru hurricane season, with all the hoarding that's been going on.....

[joshan]

The New TP is meat or maybe frozen pizza

https://popculture.com/trending/2020...irus-pandemic/

[beach43ofus]

Originally Posted by MattMN

It was not busy at all. I arrived shortly after 5pm and was probably checking out around 6pm, and they close at 6:30pm. Plenty of lanes open, with 1 person waiting and 1 checking out in each line, so minimal waits.

I thought I was keeping my distance standing near the front edge of the belt while the person was paying, but they told me to move farther back to some yellow line. So plenty of distancing in practice at checkout!

Lot was the least-full I've ever seen it. I parked on the liquor store side (which was also open), and got a spot in the first full horizontal row, where I usually park. Plenty of parking spots around.

I wore a mask, and I'd say the majority of people were. But not everyone, not even all the workers. So it must be optional.

Thx Matt!

[newtovenice]

I think if you avoid stores during "retiree" and "snowbird" hours you won't have any issues.

[beach43ofus]

I'm hoping things will thin out due to departing snowbirds, so the stores will get back normal, mostly empty mid afternoons, no shortages.

My next trip out is getting near. I'm thinking Target 1 hr before closing time. I've never seen a crowded Target, and their checkout areas are very spacious.

[wondermint2]

Walmart to require all employees wear face masks starting Monday as part of coronavirus response:
https://news.google.com/articles/CAI...S&ceid=US%3Aen

"Walmart and Sam's Club will require all employees to wear masks or other face coverings starting Monday to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Shoppers also will be encouraged to wear face masks as part of the retailers' updated COVID-19 response.

The retail giant announced the changes in a letter sent to employees that was posted on Walmart.com late Friday.

The employee policy is for U.S. stores, clubs, distribution and fulfillment centers, and corporate offices, according to the letter written by Walmart U.S. president and CEO John Furner and Sam's Club CEO Kath McLay."

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I wonder what exactly they mean by shoppers will be "encouraged" to wear masks? Does this mean the greeter that wipes off the carts will "suggest" to shoppers they wear a mask? Or if you decline you'll be frowned upon?

Would Walmart have the legal authority to ban shoppers from their stores if they refused to wear a mask? I know the CDC recommends it - but it's not mandated by any kind of law. Still I'm thinking if Walmart wanted to they could ban shoppers (without a mask) from their store. It would probably be up to the local store manager. I don't think Walmart would do that though because many would consider it bad public relations and a violation of their "rights".

[djsuperfly]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

I wonder what exactly they mean by shoppers will be "encouraged" to wear masks? Does this mean the greeter that wipes off the carts will "suggest" to shoppers they wear a mask? Or if you decline you'll be frowned upon?

Would Walmart have the legal authority to ban shoppers from their stores if they refused to wear a mask? I know the CDC recommends it - but it's not mandated by any kind of law. Still I'm thinking if Walmart wanted to they could ban shoppers (without a mask) from their store. It would probably be up to the local store manager. I don't think Walmart would do that though because many would consider it bad public relations and a violation of their "rights".

Yes, social ostracization is a thing. I'm pretty sure we've all experienced it a time or two in our lives. Unless it was store/company policy, employees wouldn't say anything, but in an area where the vast majority of people were wearing masks/believe it is the "right" thing to do, other customers might. (My wife was going to run into Publix on the way home from work on Easter Eve to get carrots for the Easter bunny. She didn't, which I told her was a good thing. Many people might not have been happy with her walking around in her scrubs).

Yes, any business can refuse service to anyone, as long as they're not doing it based on discrimination of a protected class. Yes, stores can require you to wear masks. Fresh Market is doing so.

[wondermint2]

I just got back home from shopping at the Aldi in Nokomis and the Publix off Laurel Rd. in Nokomis. It was about 2:45 PM when I arrived at Aldi. Neither store was very crowded. No waiting in line at all to check out. Both stores have one way aisles and the plexi-guard shields up at the check out. All the employees were wearing masks. I'd say at Aldi about 50% of the customers were wearing masks - while at Publix it was more like 70% - 80%. They had toilet paper and paper towels at Aldi. The only thing that I noticed Aldi was a bit low on was frozen vegetables.

Normally I wouldn't shop at Publix - but there is a sign warning about the road construction going on about 6 miles down (on Hwy 41 heading North). It says that there's only one lane open and advises taking an alternate route (this construction is like right before the Walmart in Osprey). So for people coming from the South and heading North trying to get to the Walmart in Osprey - it seems like it's going to be a hassle until this construction is finished.