Schnucks is reducing hours in Illinois grocery stores. Here’s why.

Schnucks told customers on Monday that its metro-east stores will all close at 9 p.m. each day beginning Monday, Oct. 4.

This will be a one-hour reduction from the current 10 p.m. closing time.

The company cited “the challenging labor market” as one of the reasons for the reduction in hours.

The metro-east stores are scheduled to be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. All deli, meat and seafood department service counters will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Schnucks said nine stores in Missouri will remain open until 10 p.m.

Here are the branches that will stay open until 10 p.m.: Arsenal, Cross Keys, Dorsett, Hampton Village, Ladue Crossing, Lindell, Loughborough, Richmond Center and South City.

Along with stores in the metro-east, the new hours will take effect in Schnucks stores throughout Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

Schnucks also announced that it will give performance and retention bonuses of up to $600 to employees in January for the fourth time since the pandemic began in March 2020.

“Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, our teammates have remained committed to our customers and our communities,” said Ted Schnuck, executive vice president of Schnucks stores in a news release.

Schnucks has 111 stores and 13,000 employees, according to the company.

Other retail stores and restaurants in the metro-east and across the country also have had to deal with reduced hours and longer service lines because of the labor shortage.

This story was originally published September 27, 2021 at 3:39 PM.