Traffic at Walmart, Costco and Target falls for the first time in weeks as coronavirus stockpiling behavior shifts at MarketWatch. “Walmart traffic was down 6.7% year-over-year for the third week of March…At Costco traffic fell 8.7% year-over-year for the third week of March…And at Target, traffic slumped 20.5% in the third week of March…” Read more

 

Hourly Amazon workers, fearing coronavirus risks, wonder why they must staff empty office buildings by Benjamin Romano at Seattle Times. “We couldn’t go home with pay because we’re considered essential,” the receptionist said, adding that there are about 130 people in her situation whose wages start at about $17.50 an hour. “I feel like they’re putting, at least within my company, hundreds of people at risk.” Read more

 

Vice President Pence to visit Walmart DC today in Virginia at NBC 12. “Pence is expected to tour the facility and highlight the distribution center’s supply chain operations.” Read more

 

Costco will not allow more than two people to enter its US warehouses with each membership card from Friday onward at Business Insider. “Costco explained on its site that this temporary change is for the safety of its members and workers “and to further assist with our social distancing efforts.” Read more

 

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio orders investigation of Amazon’s firing of strike organizer at CNBC. Read more

 

Best Buy to pay employees for two more weeks while stores remain closed by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “Now, it will keep paying them through April 18. Employees who volunteer to work, chiefly by helping with curbside pickup and online orders, are being paid an additional $2.50 an hour.” Read more

 

JCPenney to furlough the majority of store hourly associates beginning April 2 Press release

 

FBI: ‘Costco stimulus check’ texts are fake, should not be clicked by Alex Riggins at The San Diego Union-Tribune. “The links in the messages contain malware, ransomware “or other fraudulent methods to steal identity, financial or other personal information,” according to Butler.” Read more

 

Guess? furloughing all of its U.S. and Canada store associates starting April 2, 2020 Press release

 

Retailers are boarding up their stores in Beverly Hills at TMZ. “…it’s being done to protect the store(s) from would-be looters crazy enough to break-in. The workers told us it was a temporary measure this specific Pottery Barn was taking in anticipation of bad actors. Also, because it looks like they’re going to be closed for a good long while here amid the outbreak.” Read more

 

How the small town of Roundup, Montana, became a prominent place for ‘prep centers,’ and an important part of Amazon’s supply chain at CNBC. 12:08 video

 

Target, Trader Joe’s and many supermarkets will give employees a break on Easter Sunday at Today NBC. Read more

 

Dollar Tree Reports Stunning COVID-19 Sales at Progressive Grocer. “On Tuesday, the company reported it has seen quarter-to-date same-store sales up 7.1% at Dollar Tree and up 14.4% at Family Dollar through March 29.” Read more

 

True Value to manufacture hand sanitizer amid COVID-19 pandemic Press release

 

Macy’s to be replaced on S&P 500 by Carrier Global at CNBC. Read more

 

Shoppers shout over the wall in China’s Wuhan at AP. “Neighbourhoods in the city are still shut off by two-metre-tall plastic walls, set up early in the crisis to enforce social distancing and isolate communities…Shoppers stood on chairs on Wednesday to get a glimpse of the goods on sale on the other side, shouting down to vendors to check on prices…” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Beer makers struggle to find bottles as coronavirus fears shut down recycling efforts

Zoom isn’t actually end-to-end encrypted

Marriott has confirmed a second data breach in three years

Grad student builds ventilator using Home Depot supplies

Australian shops ration booze to foil hoarders

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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