Coronavirus: Industry Impact 2021

Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

• Hy-Vee Inc., The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC, and Walmart Stores Inc. announced the availability of COVID-19 vaccination for adolescents ages 12 to 15.

• The Kroger Co, Publix Super Markets Inc. and Trader Joe’s Co. announced they will stop requiring masks for fully vaccinated customers and employees.

Retail

• Walmart Stores Inc. will no longer require masks for fully vaccinated customers and employees. Other retailers such as Costco Wholesale Corp., and CVS Health have said the same.

Restaurant

• Chipotle Mexican Grill has removed the indoor masking requirement for vaccinated customers except for areas where it is required by law. The company will still require employees to wear masks.

• IHOP Restaurant System is planning to launch their fast casual concept Flip’d later this summer. The original launch was paused when the COVID-19 pandemic started.

• Panera Bread will be launching their next generation restaurant in November in Ballwin, MO. The restaurant will feature a double drive-thru with enhanced off-premise features and large dining area for customers.

• Quiznos is looking to open 100 ghost kitchen locations.

• Starbucks Coffee has removed the masking requirement for vaccinated customers except for areas where it is required by law.