New York (CNN Business) Walmart will require customers at all of its US stores to wear masks beginning next week, becoming the largest retailer to mandate facial coverings as coronavirus cases continue to rise. Starbucks SBUX Best Buy BBY Costco COST Other national chains have made similar moves.said last week that it will require customers to wear facial coverings or masks in all 9,000 of its company-owned US stores beginning Wednesday.announced Tuesday that it will also require all shoppers coming into its approximately 1,000 stores to wear face masks.began requiring its members to wear masks in stores beginning in May. About 65% of Walmart's more than 5,000 stores, including its Sam's Club locations, are located in areas where there is a government mandate on face coverings. "This will give us time to inform customers and members of the changes, post signage and train associates on the new protocols." Most major retailers and grocers have hesitated to enact their own mask mandates for customers during the pandemic, partly over fears of antagonizing shoppers who refuse to wear them.

Source: CNN July 15, 2020 14:18 UTC