By Ray Rivera|March 16, 2020 at 9:56 PM EDT - Updated March 17 at 6:40 AM
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Dollar General officials say their stores’ first hour of business will be dedicated for senior shoppers.
“Beginning tomorrow [Tuesday, March 17], Dollar General is strongly encouraging that the first hour of operations each day be dedicated solely for the shopping needs of senior customers, who are one of the groups most vulnerable to the COVID-19 coronavirus,” officials said in a press release. “In keeping with the Company’s mission of Serving Others, Dollar General wants to provide these at-risk customers with the ability to purchase the items they need and want at the beginning of each day to avoid busier and more crowded shopping periods."
Company officials said other customers are encouraged to plan their shopping trips around this window of time to allow the “most susceptible customers in our communities the ability to shop during the first hour that stores are open.”
Additionally, company officials say all stores plan to close one hour earlier than current close times to allow employees to clean and re-stock store shelves, as well as for their health and wellbeing.
Stores will continue to maintain current opening hours.
“In keeping with our mission and our ongoing commitment to serve our communities, we are dedicating the first hour of each day to seniors. We appreciate our customers’ understanding of our decision and request they visit our stores later in the morning to allow at-risk populations the ability to purchase the items they need at affordable prices,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s CEO. “During these unprecedented times, Dollar General is diligently working to meet the ongoing needs of our customers and communities. We are proud to live our mission and provide customers with everyday low prices on the household essentials that are used and replenished most often.”
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