MINNEAPOLIS — Target has made adjustments to its business hours and other measures amid the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Beginning March 18, all Target stores will close by 9 p.m. local time daily, which will provide the team additional time for cleaning and restocking each day. In addition, the retailer announced that it will introduce a dedicated shopping hour every Wednesday morning for vulnerable guests.

Brian Cornell

“Families are counting on Target for critical supplies during this challenging time, and we’ll continue to do all that we can to keep our stores open. For weeks, we’ve been responding to the impact of the coronavirus by taking care of our team, rigorously cleaning our stores and helping our guests find the food, medicine and other essentials they need for themselves and their families,” said Brian Cornell, chairman and CEO of Target. “As our team continues to adapt to the country’s fast-changing needs, we’re announcing plans to reduce our store hours and offer dedicated shopping hours for vulnerable guests. We’ll also maintain limits on select products and would ask guests to purchase only what they need so there’s enough supply to accommodate this increased demand.”

Modified Store Hours and Shopping Hours for Vulnerable Guests
Beginning tomorrow, March 18, all Target stores will continue to open at their regularly scheduled times and close no later than 9 p.m. local time daily. Any stores that regularly close earlier than 9 p.m. will continue to close at their normal time. The modified hours will allow even more time for teams to clean and restock store shelves. Updated store hours can be found at Target.com and are posted in stores. Also starting tomorrow, Target will reserve the first hour of shopping each Wednesday at stores nationwide for vulnerable guests – including elderly and those with underlying health concerns. The retailer is encouraging other guests to plan their shopping trips around this timeframe.

Ongoing Support
These actions are in addition to a number of steps Target has taken in support of its team and guests, including:

• Adding payroll hours to support more rigorous cleaning routines, including ensuring guest-facing surfaces like checklanes and touchscreens are cleaned at least every 30 minutes.
• Leveraging its supply chain to prioritize and fast-track the flow of products that are in highest demand across key categories, including cleaning products, paper products, food, over-the-counter medicine and baby products.
• Making back-up care available for all U.S. team members by waiving eligibility requirements, copays and other program details to ensure team members with caregiving needs can take care of their families during this time.
• Waiving the company’s absenteeism policy and covering up to 14 days of quarantine and illness pay for team members with a confirmed case of COVID-19, as well as continuing to offer standing benefits like Paid Family Leave and free counseling services.
• Closing all Target Cafés, Pizza Huts, Snack Bars, Beverage Bars, Starbucks seating areas and condiment stations in stores.