Editor’s Note: Sharing our gratitude

“We could never have pulled this off without our employees stepping up and taking the initiative on their own.”

That was what one official at a major chain told me in early May during a brief interview about how his operation was doing about two months into the coronavirus pandemic. “This is the first time I have come up for air,” he said. “And, I am talking to you because I want you to make sure the world knows what our employees did and are doing during this crisis. I am just so proud of all of them.”

We are too. 

At Drug Store News, we think it is extremely important to honor the retail companies and individuals who allowed the rest of us to get food and medical supplies back to our homes in a timely fashion during the craziest period of most of our lives. 

The pandemic will come to an end and we will return to normal times. But, in the meantime, we think it is crucial that we recognize some of the many individuals who are making a difference in the retail world. As our cover story this month, DSN is highlighting some people who have gone out of their way to go the extra yard during this pandemic. 

They are just a few of the thousands and thousands of retail workers who kept going to work in the midst of a worldwide and national emergency, putting their own lives at risk to help the general public. While some retailers were eager to share individual names, almost everyone also quickly added that their entire workforce rose to the occasion. At least three chains declined to participate in this project, simply saying that they would prefer an article on their entire team. 

They are right, but it would be a logistical nightmare to pull off. So, instead we highlight these few and, at the same time, make it clear that they represent the many. 

Retail workers usually are not front and center. Before early March, we all took for granted that there would be a wide array of food and supplies on retail shelves. Only because of the work of these employees — and I should mention the people working at factories and the truckers — can the rest of us get through this crisis with our stomachs and our medicine cabinets full. 

So, from us to you: THANK YOU