Quebec: Completely refurbished big-box stores

As Quebec enters a new confinement on Friday, big-box stores are facing a major logistical challenge to adapt their shelves to offer only essential products. 

Closed shelves, tarpaulin-covered products, closed aisles and shelves, wooden pallets covered with plastic wrap: big-box stores like Walmart and Costco will completely change their face when they reopen on Saturday to comply with government regulations.

TVA News was granted exclusive access to the aisles of Walmart de Blainville, where employees were busy carrying out the required transformations.

"For the past few days, we have had teams in each of our branches doing temporary layouts. When customers come to our branches starting December 26, there will be signage installed and it will be clearly indicated which sections are closed," said Christopher Kranjec of Walmart Canada.

Only products in the grocery and pharmacy sections are considered essential, as well as certain baby and pet items.

It is as of Friday that Quebec "goes on break" for a second time in 2020. Non-essential businesses will be closed until January 11th, closures that will also affect personal care services such as hair salons.

On Thursday, Quebec broke a contamination record for a third consecutive day, with 2349 new cases. No public health report was scheduled for December 25 and 26.