H-E-B Grocery Stores in Houston Shortening Hours to Allow For Restocking — Updated

H-E-B

According to a press release, starting on Saturday, March 14, all H-E-B stores (including other company-held businesses Joe V’s Smart Shop, Mi Tienda and Central Market) are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Because shoppers have been buying up aisles’ worth of products over the past week or so, the reduced hours are needed to allow sufficient time for restocking. The updated list of store hours can be found online.

The company also shared the below video of H-E-B president Scott McClelland explaining the change.

McClellan stated in the video that today alone, over 1,300 tractor-trailers delivered product from the warehouses to the stores, and supply-chain partners have been working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help replenish inventory. Also, expect purchase limits to be implemented on certain products in the near future to allow more shoppers to buy what they need.

McClelland also had a gentle admonishment to product hoarders. “H-E-B is going to have plenty of product. There’s not a need for you to go out and over-buy, because you can come back tomorrow and we’ll be here each and every day” he said. “So, let’s focus on how we come together [and] how we work together.

“These temporary changes, along with some adjustment to our services, will help us keep our shelves stocked and help ensure our customers can secure the products they need as quickly as possible,” reads the statement accompanying the video. “Please remember that while preparation is important, panic is not necessary. We will return to our regular hours and full services as quickly as possible. Together, we can do our part to #SlowtheSpreadTexas.”

Update, 3/14/2020, 3:23 p.m.: In addition to the hours adjustment, H-E-B has also adjusted its procedures and services to be mindful of sanitation concerns. The following statement details the changes:

In order to help maintain a safe shopping environment, we are increasing all cleaning and sanitation schedules and have discontinued all in-store product sampling. Both in-store and online, H-E-B has implemented daily Partner education on hygiene, sanitation and ways to eliminate touch points with customers to help slow the spread of coronavirus in Texas. H-E-B Partners are taking personal hygiene and sanitization protocols to a higher level, which includes hand washing, using sanitizer and sanitization of carts at a higher frequency. As always, when Texas faces any situation, H-E-B Partners are passionate about helping our customers and in this case, that means helping to slow the spread. H-E-B Curbside and Home Delivery customers will notice the elimination of touch screen acknowledgement of their orders and have the ability to select a leave-at-the-door option for delivery (with the exception of orders with alcohol and tobacco products). These are examples of many steps we are taking and will continue to evolve over the next few weeks.

Comments (1)

Share Your Thoughts on This Article