Katie cashier’s tips and tricks: grocery shopping during a pandemic
When I walk into the Cub Foods in Eden Prairie, my hometown, for my shift at work, I immediately see the changes that have been made to the store to protect both the customers and the workers during this pandemic.
The first change is that a polycarbonate separation between the customers and the cashier has been added to each register. The second change is the dots on the floor that state that customers should be 6 feet, approximately two carts, apart for social distancing. The third change, probably least obvious to customers, is that the cashiers are now spaced apart, stationed at every other register. At my place of work, the registers that were mainly used before the pandemic were 7, 8, 9, 17, and 18. Now, 1, 3, 5, 7, 17, and 19 are the central registers being used.
There have also been numerous policy changes. Cashiers are now provided gloves to wear, have hand sanitizer at their registers, and are required to wash their hands every hour. When I cashier, I use hand sanitizer on the gloves to eliminate potential bacteria or viruses from the previous customer and their items, and to cool my hands because the inside of the gloves gets sticky and uncomfortable. We are also told to wash the registers continuously when there are no customers.
Another policy change is that we are no longer accepting returns. The Cub website says, “Our customers have come to expect quality and freshness from Cub Foods. We will continue to honor our freshness and quality guarantee for all products. If any product purchased at CUB does not meet your satisfaction, we will replace it or provide a refund.” It then goes on to say, “Due to concerns over the break in the chain of control and potential contamination during this current state of emergency, we will not be able to accept returns except for those outlined above.” If you were one of the people who panicked and bought a lot of toilet paper or paper towels, you wouldn’t be able to return them.
The store hours have also changed; my store used to be open 24 hours. It is now only open from 6 am to 10 pm, with the first hour being dedicated to healthcare professionals, first responders, the elderly, and high-risk customers. My store was also going to be open on Easter Sunday, but has since decided to close for the safety and health of the workers.
Even with all of these changes, I am glad that I can work. Many of my coworkers and I depend on the job. I need to work so I can pay for tuition, save for my student loans, and maybe have some spending money. When customers thank me for working, I tell them that it wasn’t a choice because I need the money for tuition. It makes me feel a little uncomfortable, and I’m just doing what I have to do.
I also realize that I am lucky to have a job. There are so many people who have been laid off or lost work hours. I used to work three jobs, and I still have two of them. One of my sisters used to have three jobs, and she can’t do any of them now. My other sister used to have five jobs on campus and two jobs off-campus, but she can’t do any of them now. I know I am fortunate to have a job, and I know that I may be exposed to the virus at work, but I am just doing what I have to do.
The way I interact with customers has changed. I try to make small talk, but it seems like some people just want to finish the transaction and move on. If customers are wearing a mask, it can be hard to hear what they are saying. I try to be animated and sociable at work. Sometimes I get a similar response, and sometimes I don’t. My “script” has changed, so when I hand a customer the receipt, I now say, “Have a good day and stay healthy,” instead of “Have a good day.”
Many people have a rewards card. In the past, when they pulled it out, I would take it and scan it with the register because it worked better that way. Now, I always use the hand scanner because it means less contact, even though the hand scanner refuses to work almost every time.
If you’re going to the grocery store, here is my advice: go to a register with a cashier, make small talk, and pay with a card or with your phone. First, if you don’t have gloves and/or don’t want to touch the pin pad, ask the cashier to do it. We have gloves on, so it’s not a big deal. We can hit the buttons.
Second, most cashiers will be a lot faster than the self-checkouts, especially if you have produce, because most cashiers have the codes memorized.
Third, the registers will likely be cleaner than self check-outs, as we are told to clean them continuously.
Fourth, joking around with the cashier will lift both your spirits and the cashier’s. If you are worried about contact and the virus being community spread, stand behind the plastic divider and wear a mask if you are able.
Lastly, here are some general things you should know. If you have an unwanted item, especially if it is perishable, give it to your cashier. There is a designated place for them to be collected and then put away. Please do not put it on a random shelf, and please do not put it behind a magazine or anything else.
If you have soda, water, or heavy items, your cashier can probably key them in, and they can be left in the cart as long as you tell the cashier what you have. If something can’t be keyed in, have the barcode facing up, and it can be scanned with the hand scanner.
If you have a large order, don’t worry about taking too long to bag your items. There’s no need to rush. There are two belts for a reason. If it makes you feel better, you can start bagging while the cashier is still scanning your items.
Finally, if you forget something at the store, you can bring the receipt in and get the item(s). We keep a log of what is paid for but left behind.
Photos courtesy of Ellie Feist
