Just two weeks after announcing that senior shopping hours were ending, Costco has reversed course as the number of coronavirus cases surges across the country.
The wholesaler will be cutting the special hour from five days a week to just two. Shoppers who are over the age of 60 or those who are immunocompromised will be able to shop by themselves on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-10 a.m. at most stores starting on July 27. Shoppers will not be allowed to bring guests with them during the special senior hours.
Healthcare workers and first responders will also be allowed to shop during that time.
“Instead of discontinuing, we’ll maintain hours for seniors Tuesdays and Thursdays until further notice,” Richard Galanti, Costco’s chief financial officer, told USA TODAY.
Costco’s food courts will remain open, and the company did not say if it will stop offering free samples. Costco stopped giving away free samples during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic but recently brought them back.
Walmart, Target, and BJ’s Wholesale Club are also offering special shopping hours for seniors. Trader Joe’s recently ended their senior shopping hours and has not said if they plan to bring them back as cases and hospitalizations continue to rise.