HEB, College Station TX, late afternoon today...
This was the first time I had been to HEB since the first part of March. The last time was right after the whirlwind of locusts had descended on the local stores resulting in a surrealistic shopping experience (very little stock and limits on almost everything). I'm happy to report that today all departments were at least 95% stocked, no major price increases (even on beef and other meat), although there were some slight price increases. The only limit I noticed was on ground beef, limit two (of any kind whether it was bulk or patties) per person. We're doing good on beef, so that wasn't a concern. Ground beef started at $3.39/lb for their cheapest grade 73/27 and went up from there. [Side note: When I first got married ground beef was regularly .69/lb, less if you bought the giant family pack.]
Plenty of canned meats (except the 12 oz Starkist solid albacore tuna packed in oil that I like but have a good stock of, just wanted to replace what we've eaten). Lots of variety of canned vegetables, HEB-branded and name brands. Lots of variety of soups, rice, beans, stew, etc. Did not check the price of eggs because we're well-stocked, but the egg case had plenty (the normal amount). Frozen food cases were all normally stocked with a good variety of meats, veggies/fruit, etc . Ice cream case was loaded with all kinds of frozen treats. The bread guy was stocking and I had no trouble getting seeded rye or 12 grain (other breads were plentiful, too). Did not need laundry stuff so only poked my head down that aisle but it looked normal, and the same with household cleaners (Clorox wipes/spray, etc.). The soda and packaged water aisle looked like a typical Friday afternoon.. some holes but not very many. The produce looked great and there was an abundance of variety and no significant price increases. Flour of all kind/brands was plentiful but did not think to look for yeast as I've got a couple bricks in the freezer still.
All of the checkers and stock-folk were wearing masks but no gloves. There were some shoppers wearing masks, mostly older but not all, maybe 20%
. I only saw one couple (older, Asian) who were both masked and gloved. Everyone was polite and were conscious not to crowd others, some were obvious preppers. At the front of the store I saw one lone arrow but no others. They had plexiglass shields up at the butcher and fish counters, the deli, the bakery and the checkouts. All of the employees were friendly (but they always are at this store). I asked a few of them if things are getting back to normal and the answer was always yes.
I was glad to go shopping, especially at this particular HEB as they know me and always seem glad to see me. I've kept a deep pantry since I was pregnant with my first child and we have a 42 cf commercial chest freezer so this wasn't a 'thing' for us like it was for some. My DH had ventured out a couple of times to Sam's to pick up a few things but since I'm the one prone to picking up any and every kind of flu/flu-like crud, I stayed home.