Non-essential retailers are starting to reopen their doors to customers. With it comes many changes that could very well be our “new normal” for months to come. From masks, to temperature check, to 1-way shopping aisles, these changes make it much safer for shoppers to enter stores. I researched 16 major stores that are reopening to the public and here’s what I discovered.

American Eagle Outfitters

Details: American Eagle recently reopened over 900 stores nationwide.

COVID-19 Precautions: American Eagle is on the cutting edge with their reopenings as stores have infrared machines at their entrance to measure customers’ temperatures as they walk in.

Masks are also mandatory at American Eagle, for both employees and shoppers, and clothing is folded and displayed differently to encourage hands-off shopping.

Apple Store

Details: Apple started reopening stores on May 17th.

COVID-19 Precautions: Apple is limiting store occupancy and practicing social distancing within stores.

All employees and customers are required to wear face masks and temperature checks will be taken at the door.

If you don’t bring a mask they will have one available for you to wear. They are also doing deep cleanings throughout the day.

Barnes & Noble

Details: Barnes & Noble has started the process of reopening certain locations on a store-by-store basis.

COVID-19 Precautions: Employees are given a temperature check before their shift begins and are required to wear face masks.

They have also moved the shelving units in stores to provide more social distancing and have created designated places for customers to place books that they have browsed.

They have not made masks required for customers at this time.

See Also: These Stores Have Made Temporary Return Policy Changes

Bed Bath & Beyond

Details:

COVID-19 Precautions: The safety plan at Bed Bath & Beyond includes occupancy limits, social distancing, cart wipes, hand sanitizer, enhanced store cleaning, face masks for employees, and health checks.

Best Buy

Details: Best Buy has reopened in select locations with many precautions in place.

COVID-19 Precautions: Best Buy is asking you to schedule an in-store visit. You then show up at your predetermined time wearing a mask and an associate will help you with your purchase.

They are also providing wellness checks for employees. social distancing in-store, and personal protective equipment.

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Details: Many Dick’s Sporting Goods locations are starting to reopen including the one in my hometown.

COVID-19 Precautions: They have implemented 1-way aisles, sneeze guards at checkout, limiting the number of shoppers, requiring employees to wear face masks, and conducting wellness checks.

They also continue to offer senior/at-risk hours and contactless curbside pickup.

GAP

Details: GAP is opening stores back up at over 800 locations in early June and taking many precautions when doing so.

COVID-19 Precautions: Employees will wear masks and practice social distancing.

Stores will have fiberglass guards at checkout, increased sanitization efforts, and the stores will be more spread out to help with social distancing.

The same steps are being implemented at Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta.

Kohl’s

Details: Kohl’s is currently reopening in many locations with reduced store hours.

COVID-19 Precautions: Some of the precautions they are implementing include social distancing, employees wearing masks, plexiglass guards at checkout, and wellness checks before employees start their shift.

JCPenney

Details: On May 28th JCPenney opened 150 stores across 27 states, bringing the total of opened stores to 304.

COVID-19 Precautions: All employees are required to wear masks and JCP has staggered work shifts to “minimize associate contact”.

They’ve also put up shields at checkout registers and have stepped up the cleaning of “high-touch” areas throughout the store.

Macy’s

Details: In recent days the brain trust at Macy’s has gradually been reopening stores across the country.

COVID-19 Precautions: All employees have to wear masks provided by Macy’s at all times, wellness checks before shifts, 6′ social distancing, increased air ventilation in all stores, Plexiglass shields, increased cleaning, and gloves are to be worn by merchandise teams at all times.

Nordstrom

Details: Nordstrom has reopened stores in select locations in these states: AZ, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, IN, KS, MN, MO, NC, NV, OH, TN, TX, UT and WI.

COVID-19 Precautions: The stores that have reopened now require health screenings for employees, mandatory face coverings, are limiting the number of shoppers in the store, and provide contact-less pickup for those who do not want to enter the store.

Ross

Details: Ross has reopened many stores in recent days. Visit their Store Locator to see if the store in your neck-of-the-woods is open.

COVID-19 Precautions: Ross now has 1-way aisles, limits the number of shoppers in the store, provides sanitizer and wipes to all customers, installed plexiglass shields, and performs daily health checks on all employees.

Starbucks

Details: Many Starbucks locations have reopened and have new precautionary measures in place.

COVID-19 Precautions: New precautions include strong cleaning measures, health checks for all workers, mandatory face coverings for all employees, and “grab and go” options for social distancing purposes.

TJ Maxx

Details: Certain TJ Maxx locations have reopened with shortened hours of operation.

Opened locations are also having dedicated shopping hours to those 60+ as well those more at-risk. Call your local store for details.

COVID-19 Precautions: Protective shields at the cash registers, enhanced cleaning, mandatory masks for all employees, and they reserve the right to limit the number of shoppers allowed in.

Also, according to the TJ Maxx website, it should be noted that customers are expected to wear face masks as well.

Ulta Beauty

Details: On May 11th, Ulta reopened approximately 180 stores with more to come.

COVID-19 Precautions: Employees must wear masks, customers are asked to wear masks, makeup testers are unavailable, employees are health screened before each shift, and social distancing measures have been put into place.

Ulta hair salons are now by appointment only with increased safety measures. 

World Market

Details: Even though returns are not currently accepted, World Market has reopened many of their locations with increased safety measures.

Some stores that have not reopened have an employee at the door who retrieves what you need and you pay them at the door. This happened to my wife last week at the World Market in the town I live in.

COVID-19 Precautions: Employee temperature checks, gloves and masks worn by employees, enhanced sanitization, 1-way traffic aisles, barriers at checkout, and limited number of customers allowed in store at once.

Ask the Reader: Do you know of any major stores that have reopened with new safety measures in place? Let me know in the comments.

By Kyle James

Photo credit to MIKI Yoshihito.

The post These 16 Major Stores Are Reopening With Changes appeared first on Rather-Be-Shopping Blog.