Kroger to cut hours, giving employees time to restock

Kroger is shortening hours at its grocery store locations, saying workers need time to clean and restock in response to coronavirus hysteria. 

The Kroger Co. CEO Rodney McMullen said in a statement Saturday the company activated its preparedness plan weeks ago, and "we continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation."

Starting Sunday, store hours will shift to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., a difference of three hours. They had been 6 a.m. to midnight.

In the first week of March, Kroger limited the number of cold, flu and sanitary products per order, "so everyone can have access to the items they need," McMullen said.

"That’s why our supply chain teams are working to ensure that the food, medicine and cleaning supplies our customers need are reaching our stores as quickly as possible and are available through our pickup, delivery and ship services," he said. 

The company is following direction from federal, state and local agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, by cleaning commonly used areas more often, sanitizing restrooms, adding sanitizing stations and cleaning carts. 

McMullen said they are working with partners to replenish the high-demand healthcare products.

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The struggle to find health care supplies followed the state's emergency declaration late Tuesday after the first positive cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Michigan. 

srahal@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @SarahRahal_