PUHI — Box stores across the country are adjusting hours or closing their doors temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic including a temporary closure of the Macy’s and a slight hours of operation adjustment at the Walmart in Lihu‘e.
Tuesday, the department store and fashion retailer Macy’s temporarily closed all stores through March 31 — that includes Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Bluemercury, Macy’s Backstage, Bloomingdale’s the Outlet and Market by Macy’s stores.
Macy’s in Lihu‘e closed at 6 p.m. Tuesday evening.
The retailer plans to provide benefits and compensation to impacted workforce and all brands will continue to operate online through macys.com, bloomingdales.com and bluemercury.com and through its mobile apps.
“The health and safety of our customers, colleagues and communities is our utmost priority. As a result of the recent COVID-19 developments, we have decided to temporarily close our stores. We will work with government and health officials to assess when we will reopen our stores and safely bring our colleagues back to work,” said Jeff Gennette, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, Inc. in a Tuesday statement. “During this closure, we will continue to serve our customers through our e-commerce sites.”
Tuesday, Walmart employees confirmed the Lihu‘e branch — usually open from 6 a.m. to midnight — has shaved an hour off of that time; now opening from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Associated Press reports the limited hours will ensure stores can keep sought-after items, like hand sanitizer and toilet paper, in stock.
More than 4,700 Walmart and Neighborhood Market locations in the U.S. will have adjusted hours until further notice. Most super center stores are typically open 24 hours while some Neighborhood stores are as well.
“I don’t think any of us have been through an experience like this, and we continue to be amazed at what people, whether in the stores or in the supply chain, are doing to make sure customers have what they need,” Dacona Smith, chief operating officer, said in a statement.
