H-E-B is shortening hours after customers empty shelves in coronavirus panic

H-E-B is shortening store hours company-wide, “To better serve our customers and increase product availability.”

Stores will close at 8 p.m. Saturday, the San Antonio retailer announced in a press release. Starting Sunday, stores will be open from 8 a.m to 8 p.m.

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All H-E-B stores, Central Market and H-E-B Pharmacies are included in the closure. The shortened hours will be in place until further notice.

“While we restock our shelves around the clock, much of our restocking and replenishment happens overnight when our stores are closed,” H-E-B said in the statement.

“This temporary change in store hours will give our partners extra time to work diligently overnight to better stock our shelves, allowing us to better serve our customers.”

Customers began emptying grocery shelves all across San Antonio after Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced a public health emergency Friday and banned public gatherings of more than 500 people through March 20.

Officials such as Gov. Greg Abbott said stockpiling groceries is not necessary; however, that has not stopped panic-buying in San Antonio.

H-E-B company executives are out at stores this weekend to help with restocking, said spokeswoman Dya Campos.

Jorge Elizondo, vice president of customer insights, was at H-E-B’s Olmos Drive store this weekend and most of the company’s higher-ups in Houston and Austin are in stores, she said.

As concerns mount over coronavirus, customers have been flooding H-E-B stores and snapping up toilet paper, wipes and cleaning products.

H-E-B is temporarily capping purchases of certain products and suspending food sampling. They have also added extra security guards in stores.

Campos said the company has seen a spike in “everything” — store visits, pickup and delivery orders. Next-day curbside pickup and pharmacy deliveries are being offered for free.

The company is telling customers to stay calm.

“There is no need for panic buying,” Campos said. “Panicking doesn’t solve the issue at all.”

True Texas BBQ, Flaming Bird, South Flo Pizza, Table 620, 3009, Oaks Crossing and The Roastery Meyerland restaurants will also be closed until further notice so employees can focus on replenishing H-E-B shelves.

Jessica Miller contributed to this report.