The coronavirus pandemic has caused many foundational aspects of our lives to change. No longer can we attend concerts, host large parties, and even doing something as simple as grocery shopping has become an ordeal. With the holiday season upon us, life will change in many more ways.

Black Friday is known for its amazing deals, but almost more so because of the massive crowds it attracts. However, given the presence of a deadly and rampant virus in the United States, stores will have to reconsider how they will handle the influx of customers.

One store that is changing the fundamental way it approaches Black Friday is big box retailer Walmart. The store plans to break up Black Friday into three different sale events in an effort to limit the level of crowding in stores.

According to CNBC, the following precautions will also be implemented: “Stores will open at 5 a.m. local time. Customers must line up single file before they enter. Stores will limit the number of people inside. Employees will distribute sanitized shopping carts. And some, dubbed health ambassadors, will greet shoppers and remind them to put on a mask.”

Aside from changing the way their in-person stores are operating, Walmart is also working to push consumers into purchasing more merchandise online. Customers can also use the curbside pickup program that way they can avoid entering the store in the first place.

A statement from Scott McCall, Walmart’s executive vice president and chief merchandising officer released a new statement which outline the company’s objectives and plans. “We’ve been very thoughtful as we planned this year’s event,” he said in a news release. “By spreading deals out across multiple days and making our hottest deals available online, we expect the Black Friday experience in our stores will be safer and more manageable for both our customers and our associates.”

The steps Walmart is taking to ensure a safe holiday shopping experience reveals the emphasis they place on customer service. Other companies should follow suit and implement similar changes. While some may perceive these changes as political and too extreme, they are ultimately a good decision because they help to stymie the spread of the virus.

This is one way that Walmart has adapted and innovated to deal with the current times. A company must reflect and adapt to circumstances if they want to survive uncertain times. To learn about adapting and innovating, also known as ‘AIM’ check out ExitRichBook.com.