Special Report
These National Stores Require Customers to Wear Face Masks
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Last Updated:
As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases have spiked over the last few weeks, hitting new records in major cities and states across the country, so have the number of face-covering mandates.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed press releases and safety policies of more than 50 national and large regional chains, including the 10 largest retailers in the U.S., to see which have issued, or will soon issue, face-covering directives.
Though many stores have already been open for weeks, some are just now updating their safety policies in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which says masks help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Some stores have been holding out on requiring face masks partially because they don’t want to cause tension between customers and sales associates, who may be put in the position of enforcing the requirement.
Most stores have been requiring face masks for staff since they were allowed to reopen in May. After Walmart, the nation’s biggest retailer, announced shoppers will have to wear masks too on July 15, a flurry of companies followed suit, including Kroger and Kohl’s.
Coronavirus is surging across the country. Nearly 4 million people in the United States have tested positive for the disease as of July 22 and around 140,000 have died. These are the states where the virus is growing the fastest right now.
Click here to see the national stores requiring customers to wear face masks
Albertsons Companies
> Effective date: July 21, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 2,258
Customers visiting Albertsons Companies, one of the largest drug store and food market chains in the country, are required to wear masks or other face coverings for their own protection and that of store employees. The company has stores across 34 states, as well as Washington, D.C., including Safeway, Jewel-Osco, Star Market, and Pavilions.
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ALDI
> Effective date: July 27, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 2,586
ALDI posted a message on its corporate website on July 17 that face coverings will be required for everyone entering the supermarket’s stores starting July 27. People who don’t want to wear masks or are unable due to a medical condition can shop online or use the curbside grocery pickup service.
American Eagle and Aerie
> Effective date: N/A
> US locations in 2019: 964
Masks or other face coverings are mandatory for anyone who is inside an American Eagle or Aerie store. Masks will be given to customers who don’t have them. Hand sanitizers are provided as well.
Apple
> Effective date: Since reopening
> US locations in 2019: 271
All customers, as well as employees, are required to wear face coverings in all Apple stores. People who don’t bring masks will be given them. Customers will also have their temperature checked before entering the stores.
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AT&T
> Effective date: N/A
> US locations in 2019: 2,200
AT&T requires that all customers, visitors, and employees wear a mask in their stores, which let a limited number of people inside in order to maintain social distancing. The telecommunications company will provide masks to people who don’t bring their own. Curbside and door-step services are also available in some stores.
Bed Bath & Beyond
> Effective date: July 24, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 1,423
Bed Bath & Beyond and its subsidiaries, including Christmas Tree Shops, Harmon Face Values and Cost Plus World Market, require that all customers wear face coverings when shopping in their stores. People who can’t tolerate a mask due to a health condition are an exception. Contactless curbside pickup or home delivery is also available from all stores.
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Best Buy
> Effective date: July 15, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 995
Best Buy started requiring face coverings for customers on July 15, a day after it posted the announcement of its new policy online. Small children and people who are unable to wear a face covering for medical reasons can enter the store without a mask.
BJ’s Wholesale Club
> Effective date: July 20, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 218
Any person entering a BJ’s store is required to have a mask or face covering that covers both the mouth and the nose on at all times. The only exception is for children under 2 years old. People who don’t or can’t wear face masks can shop online. BJ’s has been limiting the number of customers inside its stores to allow for proper social distancing since April 4.
Buy Buy Baby
> Effective date: July 24, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 90
Buy Buy Baby, owned by Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., requires that all customers wear face coverings when shopping in their stores, beginning July 24. People who can’t tolerate a mask because of a health condition are an exception. Contactless curbside pickup or home delivery is available in all stores.
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Costco
> Effective date: May 4, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 542
Costco was one of the first national stores to require customers to wear face masks. Members and guests have been mandated to cover their mouths and noses with masks or other types of face covering since May 4, 2020. Children under the age of 2 and people who cannot wear a mask due to health complications are an exception.
CVS
> Effective date: July 20, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 9,909
CVS employees have had to wear masks ever since stores in various states were allowed to reopen in May. Though some stores already required that customers wear masks as well due to state and local orders, CVS is now extending the rule to all customers.
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Dollar Tree
> Effective date: July 8 – July 20
> US locations in 2019: 15,059
Until July 20, the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar required all customers to wear masks when shopping in their stores. The big retailers, both owned by Dollar Tree Inc., don’t require masks or face coverings anymore, but they do “request” that customers wear them. Face coverings are mandated where required by state or local ordinance.
Eddie Bauer
> Effective date: Since reopening
> US locations in 2019: 370
The clothing store chain requires that all customers and employees wear face masks. Additionally, the company is limiting the number of people in stores to no more than five at a time, temporarily closing fitting rooms, and not accepting cash.
GameStop
> Effective date: July 27, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 3,642
Starting July 27, all customers entering GameStop stores in the U.S. will be required to wear masks. Those who cannot or have “concerns” about wearing a face covering have to use the store’s online platform for any purchases.
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Gap
> Effective date: August 1, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 2,337
Starting Aug. 1, all Gap stores, as well as all stores the giant retailer owns — including Old Navy, Banana Republic, Athleta, Intermix and Janie and Jack — will require that customers wear masks. Small children and people with underlying conditions that prevent them from wearing masks are exempt. Single-use medical masks will be provided to people who need them.
The Home Depot
> Effective date: July 22, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 1,973
Starting July 22, The Home Depot requires that all customers — except small children and people with medical conditions such as asthma that may inhibit breathing while wearing a mask — wear a face covering. Until that date, about 85% of the retailer’s stores already had such a mandate due to local and state regulations.
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IKEA
> Effective date: Since reopening
> US locations in 2019: 50
IKEA has required that people wear masks since it started reopening its stores in the United States. If necessary, each IKEA location will limit the number of customers inside a store in compliance with physical distancing guidelines. The children’s play area remains closed.
Jared
> Effective date: N/A
> US locations in 2019: ~300
All customers as well as employees must wear masks when inside the store. The masks or face coverings must cover both the nose and mouth. Hand sanitizers are available at entrances and throughout every Jared store. Maintaining at least 6 feet from others is strongly encouraged.
Kay Jewelers
> Effective date: N/A
> US locations in 2019: ~1,250
Kay Jewelers, which is under the same ownership as Jared, requires that all employees and customers wear face coverings inside the stores, especially when maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet is difficult.
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Kohl’s
> Effective date: July 20, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 1,171
Kohl’s employees have been required to wear masks since stores started reopening. As of July 20, all customers are mandated to wear face coverings as well. The store updated its safety policy as about 70% of its locations are in places where state or local ordinances require people to wear masks. The mandate does not apply to people who can’t wear masks for medical reasons.
Kroger
> Effective date: July 22, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 3,003
Kroger, the third largest retailer in the United States by revenue, will require as of July 22 that all customers in all locations wear masks. Kroger’s employees already have to wear masks while inside the store.
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Lowe’s
> Effective date: July 20, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 1,727
The home improvement retail giant has joined a growing number of national stores that require their customers to wear masks when inside their stores. Store associates have been required to wear masks since reopening started in May.
Macy’s
> Effective date: July 22, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 780
Macy’s employees have been required to wear masks since May when stores started to reopen in some states. As of July 22, that rule will apply to all customers as well. Visitors who don’t have a mask will be provided one. People who can’t wear masks due to a health condition are encouraged to shop online or to use the store’s contactless curbside pickup service.
Meijer
> Effective date: July 20, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 247
The grocery giant with about 250 stores throughout the Midwest is requiring that customers visiting any Meijer store or Meijer Express station wear masks. People with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing masks are exempt.
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Menards
> Effective date: July 13, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 312
Customers, as well as employees, have been required to wear either a mask, scarf, bandana or full-length face shield that covers both the nose and mouth since July 13. Single-use masks can be bought if customers didn’t bring them. Children, too, have to wear masks unless they are in their parents’ arms or seated in shopping carts.
Nordstrom
> Effective date: July 17, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 368
Customers shopping in any Nordstrom store must wear a face covering. People who want to go to the retail store but don’t have a mask will be given one for free. Stores will also be limiting the number of customers inside a location in order to have enough space for physical distancing.
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Office Depot
> Effective date: July 20, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 1,307
Office Depot and OfficeMax mandate that all customers wear face masks or another type of face covering while shopping in any of their 1,307 office supply stores throughout the country. Curbside pickup is available at most locations for people who prefer not to go inside.
Panera Bread
> Effective date: July 15, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 2,172
People visiting the bakery cafes throughout the country have to wear masks at all times while inside, except when eating or drinking. Customers who don’t want to wear face coverings or cannot do so for any reason will be served via curbside pickup, delivery, or drive-thru.
Petco
> Effective date: July 20, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 1,600
Petco started requiring customers to wear face masks when inside their stores on July 20. Single-use gloves are available to anyone who wants to use them. Customers are also asked to stay at least 6 feet apart.
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PetSmart
> Effective date: July 20, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 1,522
Customers and employees of the retail chain must wear face coverings or masks over their noses and mouths while shopping in PetSmart stores. People who don’t bring a mask will be provided with one. Customers who prefer not to go inside a store can use the curbside pickup service.
Publix
> Effective date: July 21, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 1,479
The supermarket chain required customers to wear face coverings as of July 21. Small children and people with health problems that prevent them from wearing masks are exempt from the mandate. They are, however, encouraged to use the store’s delivery or curbside pickup services.
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Rite Aid
> Effective date: July 21, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 2,461
The drugstore chain has mandated that as of July 21 customers in its nearly 2,500 locations throughout the country wear either a mask, a face covering, or a face shield. People who don’t have a mask will be provided with one for free.
Sam’s Club
> Effective date: July 20, 2020
> US locations in 2019: ~600
About 65% of the membership-only warehouse retailer’s locations are in places with state or local mandates on face coverings. In order to avoid confusion about where masks are and are not required, Sam’s Club has decided to require all customers to wear a mask or another face covering, effective July 20.
Smart & Final
> Effective date: Mid-April
> US locations in 2019: 257
The warehouse-style food chain with stores in northern California and the Pacific Northwest updated its safety policy in April, requiring customers as well as employees to wear face coverings when inside their stores. Single-use bags are provided to customers for free in an effort to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus. Customers have the option to bag their own groceries as well.
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Sprint
> Effective date: May 22, 2020
> US locations in 2019: ~4,500
Customers have been required to wear face coverings in most Sprint locations since May 22.
Starbucks
> Effective date: July 15, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 15,041
Customers must wear a mask or face covering if they want to have a drink from any Starbucks across the country. People who don’t want to wear a mask will be served from the drive-thru or via curbside pickup or delivery.
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T-Mobile
> Effective date:
> US locations in 2019: 5,300
T-Mobile, one of the largest wireless network carriers in the United States, requires masks or facial coverings for employees, customers, and visitors over the age of 2 at all times while inside the store. Curbside service is available if customers don’t want to go inside stores.
Target
> Effective date: August 1, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 1,868
Effective Aug. 1, Target will join many other national retailers and require their customers to wear a mask or face covering when visiting their stores. Young children and people with certain medical conditions are exempt. Disposable masks will be provided to people who don’t bring their own.
Trader Joe’s
> Effective date: July 20, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 1,898
Customers of this large retailer are required to wear a mask when inside stores. The mandate allows for two exceptions — young children and people with health complications, such as asthma, who cannot wear face coverings.
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Verizon
> Effective date: N/A
> US locations in 2019: 6,461
Customers are required to wear face masks when inside any Verizon location. Curbside pickup is available in some stores if people don’t want to or are unable to wear a face covering.
Walgreens
> Effective date: July 20, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 9,168
The second-largest pharmacy chain in the country now has COVID-19 testing sites in 49 states and Puerto Rico. Employees as well as customers have to wear face covers at all times inside the stores. Children under 2 years old and people with health conditions that inhibit breathing are exempt.
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Walmart
> Effective date: July 20, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 4,753
Walmart, the world’s largest retail company by revenue, now requires face coverings in line with CDC recommendations. A store employee will be stationed at every entrance to remind customers of the new mandate.
Whole Foods
> Effective date: July 20, 2020
> US locations in 2019: 500+
Whole Foods Market now requires all customers to wear face coverings while shopping in their stores. The supermarket chain provides face masks at the entrance of all stores for people who do not bring their own.
Zales
> Effective date: N/A
> US locations in 2019: ~700
Like Kay Jewelers and Jared, Zales is owned by Signet Jewelers, the largest retailer of diamond jewelry in the world. Signet Jewelers has closed at least 150 of its locations — and plans to shutter another 150 by the end of 2020 — throughout North America due to the coronavirus pandemic. All stores that remain open require customers to wear masks.
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