Instacart workers seek strike as jobs get busier, riskier at AP. “Instacart said Sunday it would soon provide workers with a new hand sanitizer upon request and outlined changes to its tip system. The group said the measures were too little too late. While some workers say they intend to join the strike for at least a day — or have stopped filling orders already for fear of getting the virus — other, newer workers are content to have a paying job at a time of mass layoffs in other industries.” Read more

 

Amazon workers at Staten Island warehouse to stage walkout today over coronavirus at NY Post. “Some 200 employees are expected to walk out at around 12:30 p.m. in protest of Amazon’s decision to keep the Bloomfield warehouse open for business as usual. “We want the business closed down and sanitized before we return,” said Chris Smalls, a management assistant at the facility who is leading the walkout.” Read more

 

Costco cutting hours at stores, gas stations as of March 30 by Kelly Tyko at USA Today. “Stores will close at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and gas stations will close at 7 p.m…On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 to 9 a.m., Costco “will temporarily implement special operating hours for members who are 60 and older.” Read more

 

America stress-bought all the baby chickens by Tove Danovich at NY Times. “People are panic-buying chickens like they did toilet paper,” said Tom Watkins, the vice president of (a hatchery). Down at your Tractor Supply Company…long lines snake out the door into the parking lot before the store opens on the morning of a chick delivery. Many feed stores report they are selling out of chicks almost as fast as they can get new orders in.” Tiered subs.

 

Mall owner Taubman is telling tenants they must pay rent amid coronavirus at CNBC. Read more

 

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Rent the Runway lays off all retail employees due to coronavirus uncertainty at The Verge. “The company, which primarily operates online, has brick and mortar locations in California, New York, Chicago, and Washington DC…During a Zoom meeting with retail staff, a company executive said the business has been forced to “dramatically reassess” its current operations in order to sustain the business.” Read more

 

Amazon to begin taking employees’ temperatures daily in attempt to slow coronavirus by Benjamin Romano at Seattle Times. “…(will) begin screening employees for elevated temperatures each day, starting at sites in Seattle and New York City, as “an additional preventive measure.”…it intends to expand daily temperature screenings to other sites as quickly as possible.” Read more

 

Walmart asking suppliers to focus on ‘new, innovative ways’ to serve customers by Kim Souza at Talk Business. “Walmart updated suppliers on the progress that’s been made with OTIF (on time, in full). Last year, Walmart said 81% of orders were on time, and 93.4% were in full. The expectations for this year will be 87% on time for full truckload with 80% minimum expected by less than truckload. On the in full metric, Walmart said general merchandise and health and wellness would have a 95% minimum expectation. Food and consumables will have a 97.5% expectation.” Read more

 

Belk furloughs workers, cuts senior staff pay 50% during wave of coronavirus closings by Catherine Muccigrosso at Charlotte Observer. “Belk has about 22,000 employees, including around 20,000 working in stores, Anderson said. It was not immediately clear how many workers were being furloughed.” Read more

 

Target pauses plans for grocery pickup amid COVID-19 outbreak by Sarah Perez at TechCrunch. “Although groceries via Order Pickup and Drive Up would be valuable services at a time when people are being asked to distance themselves from others to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, Target says it won’t have time to train employees on these new processes right now.” Read more

 

America’s department stores can make it as much as 8 months with closed stores before liquidity troubles mount, analyst says at CNBC. “J.C. Penney and Nordstrom…have enough cash to last eight months with their stores closed, Cowen said. Kohl’s and Macy’s have enough for five months, it said. Cowen made these forecasts assuming all of these retailers are bringing in $0 in revenue from their bricks-and-mortar stores.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Grocery worker in San Diego County tests positive for COVID-19

Restaurant accused of reselling Costco pizzas at a 700% markup

Lucky’s auctions off stores to Publix, Aldi, Others

Postmates couriers are eligible for unemployment benefits, rules New York court

Publix’s senior shopping hour has mixed results

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