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Easter closing part of Southeastern Grocers’ expanded COVID-19 measures

Retailer plans to hire 5,000 workers displaced during coronavirus pandemic

Russell Redman

April 6, 2020

3 Min Read
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In support of employees, SEG said it’s providing “continuous appreciation” for frontline workers via weekly bonuses.Southeastern Grocers

Southeastern Grocers (SEG) has unveiled a new range of initiatives to bolster safety against novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and support its workforce, including an Easter Day closure.

SEG said all of its stores under the Winn-Dixie, Bi-Lo, Harveys Supermarket and Fresco y Más will be closed for business on Easter Sunday, April 12, to provide associates a day of rest.

“Southeastern Grocers is a people-first company, and our associates and customers are at the heart of our business,” President and CEO Anthony Hucker said in a statement. “I am extremely proud of our associates who are going above and beyond to serve our customers. The decision to close on Easter Sunday was made to allow our heroic associates a day to rest and find comfort with their families.”

Elevated safety standards aim to promote social distancing and prevent overcrowding, according to SEG. Starting this week, the Jacksonville, Fla.-based grocer plans to limit the number of customers shopping in select stores. Customers, too, are being asked to maintain a two-cart-length distance between themselves and employees while shopping and at checkout by using floor markers.

Plexiglass partitions have been installed at all registers, customer service desks, pharmacies and liquor store counters, and SEG is encouraging shoppers to use touch-free payment options at its more than 500 stores.

Related:Publix deploys contactless payment for extra COVID-19 safety

In support of employees, SEG said it’s providing “continuous appreciation” for frontline workers via weekly bonuses, as well as expediting first-quarter store bonuses and offering meals for associates. The company also aims to hire more than 5,000 temporary workers who have experienced restricted hours or job loss due to COVID-19.

Also, beginning this week, all SEG supermarkets will conduct temperature checks for associates when they report to work to ensure a safer atmosphere for associates and customers, SEG noted. Associates are permitted to wear masks and gloves in all stores, and the company said it will provide protective items where supplies are available.

Other efforts by SEG in response to the coronavirus pandemic include modified store and pharmacy hours, designated shopping time for high-risk customers, and extended shopping hours for first responders and health care professionals.

Except for Easter Sunday, all Bi-Lo, Fresco y Más, Harveys and Winn-Dixie stores will close nightly at 8 p.m. to give associates extra time to restock shelves and perform a deeper and broader cleaning process, according to the company. The first open hour of each store will be only for high-risk customers, while health workers and first responders will get extended shopping hours on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Related:H-E-B sells meals from local restaurants amid COVID-19 pandemic

“We are grateful for the kindness many of our customers have shown our associates,” Hucker added. “Now more than ever, we need to promote kindness to all of those who are on the front line striving to make our communities safer and stronger. Together, we will support our neighbor, and continue to provide the safest possible shopping environment for our customers.”

For our most up-to-date coverage, visit the coronavirus homepage.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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