Any long-time Grocery Employee's thoughts?

[#1 Cowboys Fan]

Having 45 years experience in working in a Grocery store, I thought I'd start a thread.

The last two weeks have been the most interesting observation of my career.

I say that mostly because 100+ people are outside our front doors BEFORE we open----we generally have about 5 people.

I have witnessed what I call 'PANIC buying'.

And, some folks aren't very nice when we LIMIT purchases of certain items (for the purpose of everyone being able to buy).

Before I go on to 2020, I have to reminisce about the 1980's:
I was AMAZED at folks buying ICE CREAM prior to Hurricane Gloria on Cape Cod!! (I understood necessities, but .....if you lose power, etc....)


-------------------------
now...

I saw the Toilet Paper ordeal develop about 5 days prior to it being a BIG deal---and it has gotten SEVERE (I did not work today)

I suspected then, that maybe a run on paper Towels............, (I was thinking as maybe a bad, but at least, a 'substitute')
that DEFINITELY has spiked as well. (heck, even 'napkins')

Last week: Phase 1
Toilet Paper Sanitizer, Bleach/Wipe Products !!!

Then Phase 2: Ramen Noodles, Pasta, Paper Towels etc

Then, Phase 3: Milk, Bread, Eggs, Water, Sugar, Flour, Frozen Vegetables, Baby Wipes

So now my thoughts:
I do understand the Sanitizer, Bleach Products demand

Then, I see TP as an item we would like to have 'some' in our homes.
I just don't see Toilet Paper as necessary as in other EMERGENCY situations as perhaps:
Batteries, Water, Milk, Bread, Eggs, Canned Goods, (pet foods, if you have them).

I haven't seen a big jump in Batteries (understandable), nor Pet Foods yet----maybe it'll calm down before that.

I work at a store that I would call " a little rough around the edges".
It was nice to have 2 customers thank me this week-----that's a rarity for sure..... haha!

Pat

 

[clifffaith]

Our local neighborhood stores have just issued a "will will not touch your disgusting grocery bags" edict. One is saying, "you bring 'em, you pack 'em", the other is banning them from entering the store. Ever since they went mandatory "supply your own or pay for bags" some years ago, I've been wondering when the unions and/or CAL-OSHA would object to having to pack people's own bags. I suspect that rule is about to be repealed, sea turtles be damned.

 

[klpca]

Our local neighborhood stores have just issued a "will will not touch your disgusting grocery bags" edict. One is saying, "you bring 'em, you pack 'em", the other is banning them from entering the store. Ever since they went mandatory "supply your own or pay for bags" some years ago, I've been wondering when the unions and/or CAL-OSHA would object to having to pack people's own bags. I suspect that rule is about to be repealed, sea turtles be damned.

All that folks need to do is wash their canvas bags. I absolutely hate those flimsy plastic bags and I hope they never come back.

Here's a link to the best canvas bags that I have ever used. They are from Foodland in Hawaii. The have pockets on the side that are perfect for wine bottles. https://www.foodland.com/shop/local-roots-tote-bag
And they are only $7.99.

To answer the OP. I haven't been to a regular grocery store since this started. I couldn't deal with the crazy public under any circumstances, much less stressful ones. Thanks for doing what you do!

 

[missyrcrews]

We are running low on pet food at my Target. There is NONE in the backroom. Hoping to see some on tomorrow's truck. We are completely out of butter, eggs, flour...again, hoping that we at least see flour tomorrow. Down to just lentil soup. (BLECH!) I notice #1 Cowboy Fan is in Maine, too. We are at the end of every shipping line, it seems. I hope we start seeing more product soon. And that people stop the panic buying. We've been limiting quantities, and most folks have been very understanding. I'm glad that I had a full pantry before all this started!

 

[clifffaith]

All that folks need to do is wash their canvas bags. I absolutely hate those flimsy plastic bags and I hope they never come back.

Here's a link to the best canvas bags that I have ever used. They are from Foodland in Hawaii. The have pockets on the side that are perfect for wine bottles. https://www.foodland.com/shop/local-roots-tote-bag
And they are only $7.99.

$7.99 = "elitist" grocery bags. Grocery bags should be free or nearly so. Ours are a mix of plasticized bags (from Trader Joes, Ralph's) for $1.99 and non-woven fabric (from CVS and a dozen window coverings companies from when we worked and some sampling came that way) that were free. The day a bag is gross enough to need washing is the day it goes in the trash, although we have patched one or two together with duct tape if a seam starts splitting. The only nod to cleanliness of our bags is we don't have dogs laying all over them in the back of the car.

 

[klpca]

$7.99 = "elitist" grocery bags. Grocery bags should be free or nearly so. Ours are a mix of plasticized bags (from Trader Joes, Ralph's) for $1.99 and non-woven fabric (from CVS and a dozen window coverings companies from when we worked and some sampling came that way) that were free. The day a bag is gross enough to need washing is the day it goes in the trash, although we have patched one or two together with duct tape if a seam starts splitting. The only nod to cleanliness of our bags is we don't have dogs laying all over them in the back of the car.

Here's what I do. I've had my bags for 4 years or so. They hold a ton of groceries and are very sturdy. I just throw them in the wash every week when I wash dish towels and my cloth napkins. You get a full load that way. I suspect that these bags will outlast me. I have two of these and some others that I don't like as much because they don't hold enough. I agree that the plasticky ones are awful because they can't be washed and I don't find them sturdy enough for groceries.

And I'm anything but elite!

 

[Janann]

We are running low on pet food at my Target. There is NONE in the backroom. Hoping to see some on tomorrow's truck.

You might want to order on Chewy.com. They are running behind schedule, but at least you can get a big shipment and then you won't have to worry about it for a while.

 

[Icc5]

Having 45 years experience in working in a Grocery store, I thought I'd start a thread.

The last two weeks have been the most interesting observation of my career.

I say that mostly because 100+ people are outside our front doors BEFORE we open----we generally have about 5 people.

I have witnessed what I call 'PANIC buying'.

And, some folks aren't very nice when we LIMIT purchases of certain items (for the purpose of everyone being able to buy).

Before I go on to 2020, I have to reminisce about the 1980's:
I was AMAZED at folks buying ICE CREAM prior to Hurricane Gloria on Cape Cod!! (I understood necessities, but .....if you lose power, etc....)


-------------------------
now...

I saw the Toilet Paper ordeal develop about 5 days prior to it being a BIG deal---and it has gotten SEVERE (I did not work today)

I suspected then, that maybe a run on paper Towels............, (I was thinking as maybe a bad, but at least, a 'substitute')
that DEFINITELY has spiked as well. (heck, even 'napkins')

Last week: Phase 1
Toilet Paper Sanitizer, Bleach/Wipe Products !!!

Then Phase 2: Ramen Noodles, Pasta, Paper Towels etc

Then, Phase 3: Milk, Bread, Eggs, Water, Sugar, Flour, Frozen Vegetables, Baby Wipes

So now my thoughts:
I do understand the Sanitizer, Bleach Products demand

Then, I see TP as an item we would like to have 'some' in our homes.
I just don't see Toilet Paper as necessary as in other EMERGENCY situations as perhaps:
Batteries, Water, Milk, Bread, Eggs, Canned Goods, (pet foods, if you have them).

I haven't seen a big jump in Batteries (understandable), nor Pet Foods yet----maybe it'll calm down before that.

I work at a store that I would call " a little rough around the edges".
It was nice to have 2 customers thank me this week-----that's a rarity for sure..... haha!

Pat

Pat, I worked for 43 years for Safeway before I retired in 2013 and my wife in 2015 with 42 years. My son manages a Pet Food Express store (I believe their 2nd busiest). We are in California. About 2 weeks ago he told me they did more then at Christmas time. The next day he told me they did more in one day then a usual entire week. The next day they doubled that.
Just now, we got a call from him asking if we had a thermometer? My wife put it on the porch for him to pick up.
He texted he's cold,has a headache,cough, and scratchy throat. Hopefully this is just a common bug from exhaustion and not Coronaviros.
Bart

 

[Icc5]

I can't say much about the bags but I do have a suggestion for your store and any grocery store that I read on Nextdoor. It was suggested since aisles are so close together and many have stacks on the floor that stores make the aisles all go one way. That way people that do cough or sneeze aren't doing this in another person's face. Granted everybody should cover these but we all know it doesn't always happen.
Bart

 

[pedro47]

To all Grocery Workers Nationwide and around the World. Thanks you for your service.

I just wish the employers of grocery workers would supply their employees with some type of facial and hands protections. IMHO.

 

[pedro47]

May I also add a Big Thanks You
To all Pharmacy stores and employees nationwide and around the world.

 

[#1 Cowboys Fan]

At our store, it started to not be as much 'panic' shopping yesterday I had the day off, but heard from others.

Today was quite a normal day at work----similar to two weeks ago, two months ago, two years ago, etc.-----finally.

That being said, we got in 2 cases---a TOTAL OF 8 PACKAGES---of toilet paper from the warehouse.

 

[pedro47]

May I have a moment of fun with the #1 Cowboys Fan. Did you hold the TP for
the Cowboys? LOL..

I can not wait for the NFL season to start. The Cowboys must end the season this year liked they started the first eight (8) games last year.

Hopefully everyone this year will report for training on time this year with no hold out. They must make the playoff and win their division and NFL Championship trophy.
IMHO.

 

[Icc5]

In Safeway they have started putting up a plastic barrier between the customer and checker at the registers. For the most part everything seems back in stock except a few items. One we needed and they seem to be out everywhere are thermometers. We gave ours to our son and now can't find any. My son seemed to be fine just exhausted from working every day. Even on his day off others are sick so he goes in. Safeway now has shopping hours for us older folks for 2 hours before the rest of the herd comes in.

 

[CanuckTravlr]

They have started to install the Plexiglas screens at the check-out counters here in Ontario, too. In many instances, they have kept people lined up outside to keep the store from becoming too crowded (with a shopping cart in-between to respect the 2 metres of physical distancing). People inside the store and at the check-outs are generally being careful to try to respect physical distancing as well.

And at least three of our major grocery chains (Loblaws, Metro and Sobeys) are saying thank you to their store employees by giving them $2 per hour pay raises for the duration. They will also be eligible for bonuses to thank them for their dedicated efforts during the crisis. Recognition not just with words, but financially, for these dedicated staffers who have put up with so much with good cheer in the last few days and weeks.