Based on data gathered since the outbreak in mid-March, Retail Aware has established that midweek mornings are by far the safest time to shop, particularly Wednesdays and Thursdays. The worst time to shop – and it won't surprise you – is during the weekend, starting on Friday afternoon and peaking in the early afternoon on Saturday and Sunday. This is when most people are free, so if you're among those with time on your hand during midweek, you have an edge in avoiding long lines. And with social distancing rules even several people make up a long line...
It's also safer to choose local supermarkets than big box stores, which usually see much heavier traffic and are now also seeing capacity limitations in order to provide a safe experience.
In case you're not sure or would like to learn more about a specific location, it's always a good idea to simply call them and ask for hours with lower traffic. Especially with further measures being introduced nearly every week, you may learn that the store offers special hours for seniors or families and you might take advantage of the knowledge when planning your next visit.
