* This is a living document that will be updated on a regular basis until it is no longer needed. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Albertsons Companies coronavirus update page.
March 24
Albertsons Companies today announced that the company has begun implementing Social Distancing protocols across all 2,200+ stores. The goal with the protocol throughout the store is to follow guidance from the CDC to prevent customers from being within 6 feet of any other person for more than 10 minutes. Customers should see changes continue over the next week.
“Social distancing can make a significant difference in our communities as we face this pandemic,” said Vivek Sankaran, President & CEO. “Our stores are following the guidance from the CDC with regard to regular hand washing and enhanced cleaning and sanitization protocols. We believe that the next step toward helping slow and contain the COVID-19 virus is by reinforcing proper social distancing whenever possible.”
The company is installing designated waiting points through floor markers positioned throughout the store, especially at check stands and stations where people most often congregate, like the service deli, bakeries, and pharmacy areas. Customers will also be asked to wait until the customer in front of them has finished collecting their groceries before unloading their groceries at the check stand.
“We have seen our customers begin to implement social distancing on their own with our ‘two carts apart’ reminders as they shop our stores, so we think our floor markers will increase awareness,” said Sankaran. “We know that with our customers’ help, along with other safety measures have implemented in our stores, we can create safer environments and help our communities contain the spread of this contagious disease.”
March 23
Throughout the country, businesses have been forced to close or scale back operations, furlough employees or reduce hours due to the COVID-19 crisis. Albertsons Companies is in a unique position to help and is partnering with major companies to provide part-time jobs to their employees who have been furloughed or had their hours cut.
“The most valuable asset and the core of any business is people, and we are working hard with many Human Resource teams across a variety of businesses who are actively defining next steps for their employees,” said President and CEO Vivek Sankaran. “So many businesses in the hospitality and retail sectors are scaling back hours or temporarily closing as their customers remain home and adhere to shelter-in-place orders. We are grateful to be a resource to help fill a critical need in our own business and take care of people who want to continue working during this time of national emergency.”
Supermarket companies are considered “critical infrastructure” according to the Federal Government and are required to operate during the crisis. To respond to that requirement, Albertsons Cos. is immediately hiring 30,000 new associates. The company fully understands and appreciates that most people will return to their previous jobs when the crisis is over, and the company and partner employers are fully supportive of the other’s efforts to keep people working.
Currently, Albertsons Cos. has secured partnerships with 17 companies, some of which include:
ASM Global
BJ’s Restaurants
G6 Hospitality
Hilton
Inspire Brands
Marriott International
MGM Resorts
Regal Cinemas
G6 Hospitality
Dedicated application sites have been established for employees from participating companies. The partner companies will provide links when they notify their employees about the opportunity for part-time employment with Albertsons Cos.
March 20
Albertsons Companies on March 20 announced an Appreciation Pay program to all non-union and union frontline associates. Structured to recognize the hard-working team members on the front lines, the company’s e-commerce pickers and drivers, store associates, distribution center associates and manufacturing plant associates will receive a temporary $2 per-hour-worked increase, above and beyond their regular hourly pay and overtime.
“In ways that we could not even imagine, overnight, our country changed – and as a result it changed the way our teams conduct business,” said Vivek Sankaran, president and CEO. “I am so proud to say our teams did not skip a step. In our manufacturing plants, distribution centers and in our stores, our associates are working tirelessly to serve our customers. They work every day to keep our communities fed, their pantries and medicine cabinets stocked, and to ensure one less worry on our customers’ minds as we all face this unprecedented pandemic.”
The temporary increase, which was requested by the company’s division presidents and supported by the board of directors and the company’s owners, including Cerberus Capital Management, is effective March 15, 2020 until at least the end of the following pay period on March 28, 2020 for approximately 230,000 Albertsons associates. The company will evaluate the situation on an ongoing basis and make changes as necessary.
“These times are unprecedented in the grocery industry,” commented Sankaran. “This simple ‘thank you’ doesn’t seem like quite enough – and we hope our sincere appreciation with this program is a start.”
Earlier, the company had announced that, as an added precaution during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, Albertsons Companies is installing Plexiglas in its checkout lanes as a protective barrier between customers and checkers. The Plexiglas “sneeze guards” will be installed in the company’s 2,200+ stores over the next two weeks, with many locations being complete in the next several days.
“We recognize that we provide an essential service to our communities,” said Sankaran. “We are doing everything we can to provide a safe, secure, and comfortable shopping space for our valued customers. This is an extra step to protect our associates who are in constant contact with the public and provide our customers with extra reassurance as well.”
In addition to the installation of Plexiglas, the stores have taken a number of precautions, including:
- Pausing self-service operations like soup bars, wing bars, and salad bars.
Enhancing measures to clean and disinfect all departments, restrooms, and other high-touch points of the store throughout the day, as well as a deep cleanse at the end of each business day. Cart wipes and hand sanitizer stations continue to be available at key locations within the store for customers’ convenience.
- Asking associates to follow CDC guidelines, wash hands frequently, and stay home if they feel sick.
Reserving special times for seniors and other vulnerable shoppers who must leave home to obtain their groceries, unless otherwise locally mandated. The company is asking non-seniors and non-at-risk shoppers to avoid shopping at these times.
The company has also announced it will waive delivery fees for same-day and next-day deliveries, as well as for mail deliveries until May 1, 2020 to help customers have convenient access to their medications during the COVID-19 pandemic that is taking a toll on public health and safety.
“We are waiving prescription delivery fees to help our customers manage their medication needs during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, which can make it challenging for people to visit our stores,” said Mark Panzer, senior VP, Albertsons Companies Pharmacy Health and Wellness. “This step is in line with our mission at Albertsons Companies to take care of our patients, help them achieve their health and wellness goals, and secure the best care available.”
“Albertsons’ Co. has been a trusted and valued partner for ScriptDrop over the last few years,” said Nick Potts, CEO of ScriptDrop. “We’re proud of their decision to offer waived delivery fees to their patients and honored to be a part of the solution to keep patients healthy during this stressful time.”
This announcement represents the latest in a series of actions Albertsons Companies is taking to address the challenges of COVID-19, including:
- Albertsons Companies and Albertsons Companies Foundation have pledged $3 million and launched a major fundraiser to help feed families in need during the COVID-19 crisis
- Asking customers to respect dedicated shopping hours for senior citizens and other at-risk populations
- Adjusting store hours to give teams the time they need to restock shelves and get ready to serve their community
- Creating “Contact Free” delivery procedures so that delivery drivers can sign for our customers when delivering orders
Patients should consult their local pharmacy for pricing on 1- or 2-hour rush deliveries, as this service will continue to have delivery fees.
Albertsons Cos. will reevaluate delivery pricing after May 1 based on the latest developments with the COVID-19 outbreak.
LETTER FROM THE CEO OF ALBERTSONS COMPANIES, VIVEK SANKARAN:
To our valued customers and neighbors,
Like you, we are closely monitoring the Coronavirus pandemic, and acting as quickly as possible to continue serving you to the best of our ability, both in-store and through our various delivery options.
Your Safety is Front of Mind
We have continued to take enhanced measures to clean and disinfect all departments, restrooms and other high-touch points of the store throughout the day, as well as a deep cleanse at the end of each business day. Cart wipes and hand sanitizer stations continue to be available at key locations within the store for your convenience.
As recommended by state and local health officials, we encourage you to wash, or sanitize, your hands before entering and leaving the store as a courtesy to your neighbors and our associates.
We’ve created “Contact Free” delivery procedures for our team and have changed our signature processes so that our delivery drivers can sign for you when delivering your order, after completing an ID check, if necessary.
Keeping You Supplied
Our doors remain open and we continue to have essential goods that our communities need, and we are replenishing inventory as quickly as possible.
Some of our stores have adjusted their hours to give our teams the time they need to restock shelves and get ready to serve your community.
We have also reserved special times for seniors and other vulnerable shoppers who must leave home to obtain their groceries, unless otherwise locally mandated. We ask that you avoid shopping Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 9 AM so that the stores can be available for them.
Our Grocery Delivery, Pharmacy Delivery and Drive Up & Go services are available, and we are doing everything we can to ensure deliveries and pickups are on schedule. We appreciate the patience and understanding our customers have shown as we strive to meet all of our customers’ needs during this critical time.
Temporary Changes
We ask that you continue to respect the quantity limits of select, high-demand items put in place at your store in order to ensure more of your neighbors can find the products they need.
Our return policy is temporarily changing. We are not accepting returns at this time.
We have temporarily suspended our Raincheck service. Right now, we may be out of some items indefinitely. We will make every effort to let customers know when they will be in stock again.
For Our Team
The health and well-being of our team remains our top priority. Associates diagnosed with COVID-19 will receive two weeks of replacement pay while they are unable to work. If the associate is unable to return to work after two weeks, the associate will be able to use any other sick leave pay or short-term disability.
We will also pay any associate who is asked to self-quarantine by their health care provider or by our company, based on current CDC risk assessment guidelines, up to two weeks of replacement pay while they are unable to work.
Our teams across our stores are truly the people to thank for keeping our stores operating. Working long hours and stocking our shelves to keep up with demand, we truly cannot express enough gratitude for their dedication and commitment these last few weeks. Please join me in showing your appreciation when shopping with us next.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and your community. We appreciate your patience, and we will continue to keep you updated.
Sincerely,
Vivek Sankaran
President & CEO, Albertsons Companies