* 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 Big Y COVID-19 update page.
Adjusted Store Hours
Effective Friday, March 20 all Big Y Express Locations hours will be 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. until further notice.
Effective Thursday, March 19, all Big Y stores will reserve the hours of 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. for customers who are 60 and older or have compromised immune systems.
Regular store hours are now 8 AM to 8 PM until further notice. This will give store teams time to conduct additional preventive sanitation and restock product on shelves. These are just some of the extra measures Big Y is taking across our entire operation to safeguard the health and well-being of our customers, our associates, and our communities.
On March 20, as a thank you to their employees, Big Y Foods, Inc. announced that hourly employees will receive an extra $2.00 per hour starting Sunday, March 22 through Saturday, April 25, 2020. This includes all stores, the store support center, facilities, and distribution employees.
They also asked, for the benefit and safety of all customers and employees, that social distancing of 6 feet or more be utilized when in stores whenever possible.
On March 20, the retailer announced that, effective immediately, they would discontinue the administration of all vaccines until further notice.
Additionally, the retailer changed its policy on returns and refunds: “For health and wellness concerns, we are unable to accept product returns/refunds at this time. This will apply to purchases made on or after 3/10/2020.”
On March 19, the company announced: “Big Y Foods, Inc. is currently experiencing an understandably high volume of customer questions and media inquiries. Please know that we are focused on operations at this time and will be for the foreseeable future. Therefore, our direct communications must be much more focused and limited. The best places for updates are our social media channels and our website.
“As of today, we are focused on recovering from the buying surge of recent days and restocking our stores. In any category, customers might notice that only the higher priced or premium items are available. That is because all of the other items in that category have been purchased. We are, of course, working with our suppliers to restock all items that are currently out of stock or offered in limited supply. Everyone involved in the food supply chain is working extremely hard to replenish, resupply, and restock.
“Big Y is also working very hard to support food banks in each of our markets, and we will be providing information on those activities in the near future. We also have reserved the hours of 7 – 8 a.m. for customers 60 years old and older as well as people with compromised immune systems. We ask for the cooperation of all our other customers to help us offer this accommodation to those customers who might be most severely impacted by COVID-19.
“We wish to clearly state to the media and the public that, while items may continue to be out of stock at times, there is no overall food or product shortage. Our stores will continue to be restocked daily, and customers will notice more normal inventory availability overtime.
“Lastly, we wish to acknowledge the tremendous sacrifice of our employees who continue to serve our customers. They have families and worries as well, so we hope that their efforts will be recognized by those visiting our stores.
On March 16, Big Y said, “Due to unprecedented demand and ongoing supply disruptions, we will not be issuing rain checks until further notice.”
The same day, the retailer closed its Hot Bar, Wing Bar, Soup Bar and Olive Bar until further notice. Cold Soup and Olive Bar items, Pre-packaged Hot Tenders and Wings, Pre-packaged Hot Soup and Pre-packaged Hot Mac & Cheese are still available in grab and go containers for your convenience.