16 Major Chains That Mandate Face Masks for Shoppers

Walmart, Target, CVS and Kroger join list of big retailers requiring customers to cover up

by Andy Markowitz -- July 17, 2020 

With the country reaching record highs in new coronavirus cases, many state, city and county governments are ordering that people wear masks when out and about. That's in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that face coverings help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Some of America’s biggest retailers have taken the same tack, requiring face masks in stores for shoppers as well as staff, whatever local rules are in place. Walmart, the nation’s biggest retail company, joined their ranks on July 15, and the National Retail Federation has called on all retailers to do the same.

Among the 40 largest retailers in the U.S., as ranked by the National Retail Federation (NRF) on the basis of sales, more than a dozen require customers to wear masks in all their stores, chain-wide, according to an AARP review of their public statements and online coronavirus information.

Most of the remainder require public-facing employees to don masks while on duty. Several directly request or recommend that patrons cover their faces while shopping but as of July 16 have not made it mandatory.

In most cases the store numbers below are from the NRF, as of 2019.

Walmart

NRF rank: 1

U.S. stores: 5,355 (including Sam’s Club)

Mask policy: The nation’s biggest retailer announced on July 15 that masks would be required at all Walmart and Sam’s Club outlets starting Monday, July 20. The company said the move would “bring consistency across stores and clubs,” about two-thirds of which were already subject to state or local mask requirements, and represents “a simple step everyone can take for their safety and the safety of others in our facilities.” Employees will be stationed at store entrances to remind customers of the requirement and work with those who arrive without a mask.

Kroger

NRF rank: 3

U.S. stores: 3,003

Mask policy: On July 15 the country’s largest supermarket chain issued a statement announcing a shift from encouraging to requiring masks, effective July 22. “We are taking this extra step now because we recognize additional precautions are needed to protect our country,” the company said.

Costco

NRF rank: 4

U.S. stores: 542

Mask policy: Since May 4 the members-only warehouse club has required that shoppers cover their faces. “We know some members may find this inconvenient or objectionable, but under the circumstances we believe the added safety is worth any inconvenience,” President and CEO Craig Jelinek said in a statement on the company’s website. “This is not simply a matter of personal choice; a face covering protects not just the wearer but others, too.”

CVS

NRF rank: 7

U.S. stores: 9,909

Mask policy: Citing “the recent spike in COVID-19 infections,” the pharmacy chain will require masks in all stores starting July 20. “We’re not asking our store employees to play the role of enforcer,” Jon Roberts, the company’s chief operating officer, said in a July 16 statement. “What we are asking is that customers help protect themselves and those around them by listening to the experts and heeding the call to wear a face covering.”

Target

NRF rank: 8

U.S. stores: 1,868

Mask policy: “Starting August 1, we’re requiring guests to wear masks or face coverings in all of our stores, except for those with underlying medical conditions and young children,” the company said in a July 16 update to its coronavirus response page. Stores will provide disposable masks to shoppers who arrive without one.

Apple Store

NRF rank: 11

U.S. stores: 271

Mask policy: “Face coverings will be required for all of our teams and customers, and we will provide them to customers who don’t bring their own,” the tech retailer announced on May 17 as it was reopening its stores.

Best Buy

NRF rank: 14

U.S. stores: 995

Mask policy: “Customers and employees are required to wear a face covering. We will supply a face covering if you don’t have one,” the electronics retailer states in an online rundown of its in-store safety measures. The mandate was announced July 14 and implemented the following day.

Publix

NRF rank: 15

U.S. stores: 1,479

Mask policy: “Beginning July 21, customers are required to use face coverings over their noses and mouths while inside any Publix store,” the supermarket chain said in a message posted July 16 to its web page on coronavirus shopping protocols. “This new mandate is encouraged by the CDC for most individuals.”

Dollar Tree

NRF rank: 18

U.S. stores: 15,472

Mask policy: “In accordance with guidelines from the CDC, we are requiring all associates, customers and vendors to wear cloth face coverings when inside our stores,” the discount retailer, which also operates the Family Dollar chain, said in a July 8 update of its coronovirus response page.

H-E-B

NRF rank: 19

U.S. stores: 333

Mask policy: In a June 30 update of a press statement, the Texas grocery chain said that 85 percent of its stores are located in communities that have implemented local mask requirements, adding, “In areas that do not have a local ordinance in place, H-E-B stores will require the use of masks or facial coverings,” with exceptions for children and people with health issues that preclude this practice.

Verizon

NRF rank: 22

U.S. stores: 1,600-plus

Mask policy: “Customers are required to wear cloth face coverings” at Verizon’s retail locations, according to the company’s web page on store operations.

Kohl’s

NRF rank: 24

U.S. stores: 1,171

Mask policy: The department store will require patrons to mask up starting July 20. With government mask orders already applying to about 70 percent of its locations, “we’ve made the decision to take a consistent approach across our entire store fleet,” the company said in announcing the policy on July 15.

Starbucks

NRF rank: 26

U.S. stores: 15,041

Mask policy: The coffee chain’s mask mandate took effect July 15. “We respectfully require customers follow social distancing and safety protocols recommended by public health officials, including wearing a facial covering when visiting our stores,” Starbucks states on its COVID-19 information page. “It is our responsibility to protect our partners and comply with local public health mandates. As such, our partners have the right and responsibility to refuse service to customers who are not wearing facial covering

AT&T

NRF rank: 31

U.S. stores: 2,200

Mask policy: "Masks are required to be worn by employees, customers and visitors in our stores (both in store and curbside) and will be provided to customers who need them,” an AT&T spokesman said in an emailed statement.

BJ’s Wholesale

NRF rank: 35

U.S. stores: 218

Mask policy: The membership warehouse club announced a mask mandate on July 15. “Effective Monday, July 20, 2020, anyone entering a BJ’s location will be required to wear a facial covering that covers both the mouth and nose at all times while shopping in our Clubs,” the company says on its coronavirus FAQ page.

Menards

NRF rank: 37

U.S. stores: 312

Mask policy: The Midwestern home-improvement chain is “requiring all Guests and Team Members to wear masks when shopping at all store locations,” according to its COVID-19 policy page.