9 Grocery Stores with Special Senior Shopping Hours

For many older individuals and people with underlying health conditions, leaving the house during the COVID-19 crisis can seem downright scary. While they may need food and supplies, the idea of going into a crowded grocery store may be too intimidating to even consider.

Some grocery chains have responded to this concern by instituting senior shopping hours. During set timeframes, eligible shoppers can go into their favorite stores before the crowds. Below, we’ll detail nine popular chains with senior shopping hours.

Albertsons

Albertsons is vowing to offer a dedicated shopping time for individuals over 60, pregnant women, those with compromised immune systems, and other high-risk individuals. Hours may vary between stores, so you may want to check with your local store. In general, the company is planning on these hours being 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Dollar General

Dollar General is now reserving the first hour each day for senior shoppers. The company “strongly encourages” that this hour is limited to these higher-risk individuals so that they can shop without crowds. Store hours may vary by location. You can use the store locator to check hours of a store near you.

Hy-Vee

Expectant mothers, individuals over 60, and people with underlying health conditions that put them at greater risk can shop at Hy-Vee from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. each day, which is one hour before the store opening. Most Hy-Vee pharmacies will also be open during this time. Use the store finder to find locations near you.

Meijer

Seniors and individuals with chronic health conditions can shop at Meijer stores and their pharmacies during dedicated shopping times of 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Essential service workers can shop from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Check out the store finder for locations near you.

Publix

Starting March 24, Publix is setting aside 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday for customers 65 and up. The pharmacy will also be open. Use the store locator to find a Publix near you.

Stop & Shop

Stop & Shop stores are opening early each day to give shoppers over 60 and other high-risk individuals a chance to shop with less of a crowd. This period lasts from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. each day. To find a location near you, you can use the store locator.

Target

Target is reserving the first hour each Wednesday for seniors and other high-risk individuals. Hours vary between stores, so check to see when stores near you are open.

Walmart

From March 24 through April 28, Walmart will have a senior shopping event every Tuesday starting one hour before the store opens. Walmart’s vision centers and pharmacies will also be open during the senior shopping event. Customers ages 60 and up are eligible to participate. Use the store locator for information on stores near you.

Whole Foods

Whole Foods has recently announced that all store locations in the United States and Canada will welcome customers 60 and over an hour before they open to the general public. To check store hours and find a location near you, use the store finder.

These hours and policies are subject to change. Other grocery stores may also have senior shopping hours. You might want to check your favorite grocery store’s website to see if it’s made any announcement. If you want to know if a store near you has special hours for seniors, you could also call since some individual locations vary from the rest of the chain.