The US’s largest retailers are now requiring the use of face masks. The 10 largest retailers in the U.S as ranked by the National Retail Federation (NRF) based on sales, have implemented, or are in the process of implementing, chain wide mask mandates. Here’s a list of top 10 companies currently requiring shoppers to wear face masks.
Walmart
NRF rank: 1
U.S. stores: 5,355 (including Sam’s Club)
The nation’s biggest retailer started requiring customers to wear masks at all Walmart and Sam’s Club stores on July 20. The rule represents “a simple step everyone can take for their safety and the safety of others in our facilities,” the company said in announcing the policy on July 15. Employees will be stationed at store entrances to remind customers of the requirement and work with those who arrive without face masks.
Amazon
NRF rank: 2
U.S. stores: 564
The e-commerce giant instituted face mask requirement on July 20 at its Whole Foods Market supermarkets and Amazon Books, Amazon 4-Star and other branded brick-and-mortar outlets.
Kroger
NRF rank: 3
U.S. stores: 3,003
The country’s largest supermarket chain put face mask mandate in place on July 22. “We are taking this extra step now because we recognize additional precautions are needed to protect our country,” the company said in a July 15 statement.
Costco
NRF rank: 4
U.S. stores: 542
Since May 4 the members-only warehouse club has required that shoppers cover their faces. “We know some members may find this inconvenient or objectionable, but under the circumstances we believe the added safety is worth any inconvenience,” President and CEO Craig Jelinek said in a statement on the company’s website. “This is not simply a matter of personal choice; a face covering protects not just the wearer but others, too.”
Walgreens
NRF rank: 5
U.S. stores: 9,168
Citing guidance from the CDC and other public health officials, the nation’s biggest drugstore chain announced July 16 that it is “expanding requirements for customers to wear face covering while in stores across all Walgreens locations chainwide.” The policy took effect July 20.
Home Depot
NRF rank: 6
U.S. stores: 1,973
As of July 22, customers must wear face masks at all Home Depot stores. “Social distancing captains and store associates will be available to provide masks to those shoppers who may not have one,” the company said in announcing the change on July 17.
CVS
NRF rank: 7
U.S. stores: 9,909
Citing “the recent spike in COVID-19 infections,” CVS started requiring masks in all stores on July 20. “We’re not asking our store employees to play the role of enforcer,” Jon Roberts, the pharmacy chain’s chief operating officer, said in a July 16 statement. “What we are asking is that customers help protect themselves and those around them by listening to the experts and heeding the call to wear a face covering.”
Target
NRF rank: 8
U.S. stores: 1,868
“Starting August 1, we’re requiring guests to wear face masks in all of our stores, except for those with underlying medical conditions and young children,” the company said in a July 16 update to its coronavirus response page. Stores will provide disposable masks to shoppers who arrive without one.
Lowe’s
NRF rank: 9
U.S. stores: 1,727
The home improvement chain’s mask mandate took effect July 20. “For the safety of everyone in our stores, we ask that customers wear face masks, and to make this new standard less restrictive, we will make masks available to those who need them,” CEO Marvin Ellison said in a July 17 statement.
Albertsons
NRF rank: 10
U.S. stores: 2,258
“Effective July 21, 2020, we will require customers across all of our locations to wear face masks when shopping with us, for their protection and for that of our associates,” the parent company of Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel Osco and other grocery chains announced July 16 on its corporate website.
