Supermarket chain Harris Teeter has started closing two hours earlier, shutting its doors at nine p.m. in an effort to focus upon cleaning and its employees’ well-being.
Harris Teeter locations will continue to open their doors at six a.m.
The change in closing time can be partially attributed to a labor shortage. Harris Teeter currently has more than 5,000 job openings throughout its 250 stores, despite attempting to attract workers with increased hourly wages and bonuses.
The company also cited concern over the spread of COVID-19 and care for its employees as reasons for the early closing times.
“We believe closing our stores earlier will allow our valued associates to: take their earned days off; manage labor in this difficult employment environment; ensure excellent closings to better prepare for the following day; and make certain that our stores are a clean, safe place to work and shop,” Harris Teeter communication manager Danna Robinson stated.
Harris Teeter’s locations in Carrboro and Chapel Hill have been steady sources of employment for Chapel Hill High School students.
For senior River Confer, who works exclusively closing shifts after school at Harris Teeter, the change in the store’s hours has noticeably affected his pay and has made his shifts busier, with frantic shoppers attempting to finish their daily errands before the store closes.
“Closing at nine was a relief for the first few days, but I quickly noticed the change of balance in my bank account,” Confer said. “I maintain a feeling of mild financial discomfort as a result of our schedule change. That being said, I am glad that the store is taking better precautions and spending more dedicated time on sanitation and safety.”
Despite the earlier closing time, Confer said that—due to the company’s thorough sanitation procedures—he still leaves his workplace relatively late.
“Though our doors close at nine, we spend a good portion of time cleaning the store,” Confer said. “After customers have left, we wipe down every handle and surface in the store and complete standard closing duties—putting back misplaced items and vacuuming—and these can take well over an hour to complete, so getting home earlier is not usually a given.”
Some Harris Teeter employees, however, haven’t felt any difference since the change.
“I typically work weekend’s in the morning, so closing time hasn’t been a big issue for me,” junior Jane Rydin said. “Although I occasionally have later shifts, my usual hours have not changed.”
Chapel Hill High School students not employed by the supermarket chain say they are generally unaffected by the shift, or unaware of Harris Teeter’s changes altogether.
“I didn’t hear anything about that yet,” senior Tatum Chewning said. “I haven’t really shopped there late at night.”
Some students have unknowingly been informed of the change while in or attempting to get into the store.
“The other day, my mom and I went to Harris Teeter to pick up a few items,” junior Maddie Hamilton said. “While we were in the middle of shopping, employees told us to go to the front and start checking out. We were surprised because we didn’t know that the store’s hours had changed.”
Teachers, especially those with children, noted the stores’ new hours may cause potential complications for late-night shoppers.
“I would always go there late; those are the hours when no one is in the store,” reading specialist Erica Kinney added.
Guidance counselor Ryan McGraw noted, though, that there are other late-night options for shoppers in a bind after nine p.m.
“In the past, I might have made a late-night run to the store for my children—for diapers or something similar,” McGraw said. “But here’s the deal: CVS is open even later.”
