Sign up for KYW Newsradio's daily newsletter for the latest on the coronavirus pandemic across the Philadelphia region.
___
But the items customers seem to be buying aren’t necessarily essential.
Related
“Homeowners and businesses depend on us for urgent needs,” explained Home Depot spokeswoman Margaret Smith. “That could be anything from a hot water heater to a refrigerator. If you have an electrical or plumbing repair, especially right now when so many people are at home.”
But one Home Depot employee, who wanted to remain anonymous, said customers are showing up for a lot of nonessential goods.
He said the paint department and the plant section have been picked clean. Entire families are coming in to pick up two-by-fours. One elderly man even came in for a single mouse trap.
Last Friday, he said a particular store planned to sell $10,000 worth of paint. By the end of the day, they sold $26,000 worth of paint.
The worker noted many employees are not showing up either, whether because they are in a vulnerable population or they just don’t want to be exposed.
Smith said Home Depot is offering full- and part-time workers additional paid time off during the pandemic.
“The point of that time is really to give people an opportunity if they don’t feel comfortable coming to work for whatever reason,” she added. “Whether they’re part of a vulnerable population or they just don’t feel comfortable coming in right now, that they have the opportunity to stay home.”
Lowe’s did not respond to requests for comment.