Hy-Vee Brings Back Reserved Shopping for High-Risk Customers

Hy-Vee is reinstating its reserved shopping hour for high-risk customers in response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases throughout its eight-state region.

The retailer’s home state of Iowa is the third highest risk state for COVID-19 spread, behind South Dakota, where Hy-Vee also has stores, and North Dakota, according to a recent Forbes list. West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee also has stores in Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin, a majority of which have also seen a rise in cases.

The reserved hour will be offered at all Hy-Vee locations from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday, and is dedicated for customers who are 60 and older; expectant mothers; and anyone with an underlying health condition that makes them more susceptible to serious illness.

“Hy-Vee remains committed to our customers during these challenging times and will take all measures necessary to keep them and our employees safe,” the retailer said in a release.

To that extent, Hy-Vee this month is expected to roll out an automated cleaning system that fully cleans and sanitizes shopping carts after every use at more than 200 stores.