CVS to hire 50,000 workers, gives bonuses to employees amid coronavirus pandemic at USA Today. “CVS is giving workers bonuses of up to $500. Eligible recipients include pharmacists, store employees and managers.” Read more

 

Best Buy shifts stores to curbside pickup only at CNBC. “Customers will also still be able to order online or on the app and have their items shipped directly to their homes. However, all in-home installations and repair services have been suspended.” Read more

 

Loblaws to install Plexiglas shields to protect cashiers from coronavirus at Montreal Gazette. “The company also announced that existing employees will receive a two-dollar premium to their hourly pay.” Read more

 

Walgreens, Walmart to begin COVID-19 testing in Chicago at Crain’s Chicago Business. “Everything is ready to go,” Dan Bartlett, Walmart’s executive vice president of corporate affairs, said on a call with reporters. “We have the tents. It should be up and running soon.” He said that the company is talking to governors’ offices to get permission to expand testing sites to other states.” Read more

 

Apple has dropped a two-device limit on online purchases of iPhones at Fox Business. Read more

 

Bed Bath & Beyond will temporarily close all its retail banner stores across the US and Canada until April 3, 2020 “buybuy BABY & Harmon Face Values stores to remain open.” Press release

 

GameStop reverses stance – will now temporarily close all storefronts to customers at The Verge. Read more

 

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Macy’s taps $1.5 billion credit line, suspends earnings outlook and dividends amid coronavirus at CNBC. “And while February results met our expectations, we are now operating in an environment with a high degree of uncertainty,” (CEO Gennette) said.” Read more

 

What Helena Foulkes learned about retail and leadership as CEO of HBC by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “What’s next for Foulkes? She’s clearly a retailer at heart and says she hopes her next gig will be in the field—or at least one that is consumer-focused…“I loved being a CEO, and I’d do it again,” she says. “I’ve always believed you should play to your strengths. And I love building teams.” Read more

 

Jeff Bezos memo tells Amazon employees he’s ‘wholly focused’ on the COVID-19 crisis at GeekWire. Memo/Read more

 

Walmart ups minimum wage in e-commerce warehouses by $2 at Reuters. “Walmart said the hike will increase entry wages for workers in e-commerce fulfillment centers or warehouses to between $15 and $19 an hour effective immediately through Memorial Day, a holiday in the United States that falls on May 25 this year.” Read more

 

Target pays bonuses, hikes pay by $2 an hour at Forbes. “The raise will be in effect at least until May 2. Target currently pays its employees a minimum wage of $13, with plans to increase that to $15 by the end of 2020.” Read more

 

Kroger associates receive one-time bonus of $300 for full time and $150 for part time Press release

 

Walgreens announces bonus payment of $300 for full-time and $150 for part-time hourly team members in stores and distribution centers Press release

 

H&M scraps dividend due to coronavirus as all costs under review at Reuters. Read more

 

…H&M weighs tens of thousands of job cuts because of coronavirus at CNBC. “As of Monday morning, H&M said a total of 3,441 of its 5,062 stores worldwide are closed.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Coronavirus pushes states to delay plastic bag bans

Store audit: 92% of stores completely or almost out of toilet paper

Due to COVID-19, many Amazon orders won’t be delivered for a month

Lowe’s Commits $25 Million, Updates Operations in Response to COVID-19

Hasbro shares soar as CEO cites ‘great demand’ for toys

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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