Grocery chain: "We'll prioritize the products people really need"

Schnuck Markets, Inc., the 11th largest privately-owned grocer in the United States, is planning how to keep operating during a flu pandemic. With 100 stores in seven mid-America states, the Schnucks chain has excess warehouse space and its own fleet of trucks to provide in-bound transportation, if needed.

But having enough supplies and storage is only part of the equation, according to a KSDK-TV report. The company is concerned about having enough workers.

In case of significant employee absenteeism, the St. Louis-based company would focus available employees on delivering products which customers absolutely need. Company officer Robert Drury says, "We'll prioritize the products people really need, get those in stores and maybe we won't ship some things that aren't so necessary."

Drury, who is Senior Vice President of Logistics, Manufacturing & Information Technology, also serves on a Missouri Health Department volunteer committee helping other businesses with their pandemic preparations.