CINCINNATI, OH - As the COVID-19 situation continues, retailers are implementing more and more safety regulations to keep their associates and customers safe. We recently reported Kroger started piloting one-way traffic throughout select stores. Now, the grocer announced a new adoption of health precautions: limiting its stores’ capacity to 50 percent using industry-leading QueVision technology.

“Kroger’s introduction of customer capacity limits is one more way we are doing our part to flatten the curve while operating as an essential business, providing our customers with access to fresh, affordable food and products,” said Mary Ellen Adcock, Senior Vice President of Operations. “During this national pandemic, we are committed to adopting preventive measures to help protect the safety and health of our associates, customers, and communities.”

According to a press release, the standard building capacity for a grocery store is one person per 60 square feet. Under Kroger’s new reduced capacity limits, the number will be one person per 120 square feet. Other retailers such as Walmart, Costco, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and more have rolled out similar initiatives as of late. Kroger will begin to monitor the number of customers per square foot in its stores using its industry-leading QueVision technology, which already provides a count of the customers entering and exiting stores.

“By leveraging QueVision, our technology system that uses infrared sensors and predictive analytics, we will be able to more efficiently support our new capacity limits, creating a safer environment for our customers and associates,” said Yael Cosset, Chief Technology and Digital Officer.

Kroger's new customer capacity limits joins other measures the retailer has established over the last few weeks to promote physical distancing, including the addition of plexiglass partitions, educational floor decals, and healthy habits messages aired via in-store radio to encourage customers to practice good hygiene and spatial awareness.

Kroger and its affiliates have also recently implemented the following protective and preventive measures:

• Protective Face Masks and Gloves for Associates
• Associate Wellness Checks
• Piloting One-Way Aisles in Select Markets
• Waived Prescription Delivery Fees
• Continuing Kroger's Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Commitment
• Reduced Holiday Hours

For more information on how Kroger is implementing these measures, click here for the full press release.

As we continue to cover more retail news, keep safe and keep checking ANUK for the latest updates.

Kroger