Walmart closes 368 stores in Texas and southern states while Amazon closes delivery stations as businesses - The Dallas Morning News

This story is being updated.

Businesses are starting the new year with unprecedented weather that’s keeping customers at home. Some grocers and other retailers that feel obligated to be open for customers who need food and other essentials are closing early so their employees can get home safely.

Walmart said it has closed 368 stores in Texas and the Southeast including dozens in North Texas.

“We assess the status of our facilities and will continue to operate as long as it is safe to do so,” Walmart said. It has built an interactive map that’s its continuing to update so customers can know whether the store is open before they venture out. Some Walmart stores that are closed are still operating curbside pickup and delivery.

And if you haven’t seen the Amazon delivery trucks in your neighborhood lately, here’s why. Amazon has closed all of our North Texas delivery stations.

“The safety and well-being of our employees, customers and the drivers who deliver packages are our number one priority,” said Amazon spokesman Daniel Martin. Out of an abundance of caution, we have currently closed our delivery stations in the Dallas/Fort-Worth area due to the inclement weather.”

The prospects of a second snowstorm has made decisions trickier.

While Amazon continues to evaluate the effects the winter storm on its operations in Texas, customers can their order check on the Amazon app or at www.amazon.com, Martin said. Amazon is still taking orders, but the delivery promise date may be delayed depending on the item and location.

Kroger, which usually keeps stores open until 1 a.m., will close its doors at 8 p.m. on Monday Central Market is closing its Dallas-Fort Worth stores at 6 p.m. today. Kroger will reopen stores at 8 a.m. Tuesday, two hours later than usual.

Deliveries from the warehouse are still happening, but at a much slower pace, said April Martin, spokeswoman for Kroger. Most big chains have their own truck fleets but supplement with third party drivers and vehicles. Kroger has backup generators but they are not working in many locations due to the rolling blackouts, Martin said.

Tom Thumb and Albertsons stores are closing at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, said spokeswoman Christy Lara. The plan is for stores to open at 8 a.m. Tuesday, “if it’s safe for associates and customers,” she said. Some Tom Thumb and Albertsons stores weren’t able to open on Monday due to power outages.

The malls are mostly closed. NorthPark Center did not open Monday. Galleria Dallas initially said shoppers should call individual stores first before making the trek, but as of noon decided to close.

Golden Triangle Mall in Denton is also closed, and the shopping center has had rolling blackouts since 2 a.m.

Downtown Dallas Inc. CEO Kourtny Garrett said many hotels, including The National and the Omni, are open, and at least a couple of restaurants have said they are open for service. The Flying Horse Café and the Crafty Irishman are putting their employees up in hotels.

Hotels are also helping put up first responders. Dallas Police Department staff is staying at the Lorenzo Hotel. And Garrett said most of the calls from downtown’s 12,000 residents have been to report homeless individuals without shelter.

As far as electricity, Garrett said towers are being asked to turn off their lights. Reunion Tower has confirmed that its signature lights that form a couple of “Xs” will be turned off Monday night.

It’s not clear how much energy savings the city’s skyscrapers can generate, she said, but Downtown Dallas Inc. is asking that nonessential lights be turned off to assist the power grid.

Twitter: @MariaHalkias

Looking for more retail coverage? Click here to read all retail news and updates. Click here to subscribe to D-FW Retail and more newsletters from The Dallas Morning News.

Let's block ads! (Why?)