Retail giants Walmart and Macy's alter their retail store operations due to the pressing pandemic
Macy's and Walmart, two of the world's largest retailers, are making operational adjustments in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges it presents.
Beginning in the week of September 22, 2025, Macy's plans to temporarily close 15 of its stores for cleaning. The closures are scheduled to last a day and a half. In a bid to manage traffic volumes, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic, Macy's will also adjust store hours, with stores open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Similarly, Walmart will temporarily close some of its stores for cleaning, based on market-specific data. However, a Walmart spokesperson has clarified that these closures are not related to staffing issues.
The operational adjustments at both Macy's and Walmart could reflect a shortage of workers or a spike in shoplifting. Workers in lower-paying jobs like retail are avoiding situations where exposure is more likely due to the pandemic. Public health experts suggest that a vaccine mandate is the best way to achieve the necessary level of immunization, but the National Retail Federation successfully blocked the Biden administration's vaccine mandate, which would require large companies to document their employees' COVID-19 immunization status or test them weekly if they choose not to be vaccinated.
As the pandemic continues, public health experts stress the importance of boosting vaccination rates to reduce the likelihood that further variants proliferate and increase the chance of curtailing the pandemic. The more contagious omicron variant is currently circulating.
In an effort to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on their operations, retailers are also turning to digital solutions. Walmart is expanding home delivery in the U.S. from 6 million households to 30 million by the end of the year.
Retailers struggled with hiring even after dangling extra incentives during the holiday sales season. The National Retail Federation expects the omicron variant to bring uncertainty to the economy and contribute to inflation.
Macy's store employees will work their normal allocated hours and stores will encourage CDC-recommended protocols like mask wearing and social distancing. Macy's is also working to meet the new vaccine mandate requirements and has begun the process of documenting the vaccine status of all U.S. employees.
The Supreme Court will take up the issue of the vaccine mandate this week. The court's decision could have significant implications for retailers and other businesses as they navigate the ongoing pandemic.
