What retailers are considered critical and non-critical?

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Over the last several weeks, more and more restrictions have been implemented among businesses per orders signed by Governor Raimondo.

Below is a list provided by the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation as to what is considered a critical and non-critical retailer.

Critical retail businesses include:

• Food and beverage stores (e.g. supermarkets; liquor, specialty food, bodega and
  convenience stores; farmers’ markets; food banks and pantries)
• Pharmacies and medical supply stores, compassion centers
• Pet supply stores
• Printing shops, mail and delivery stores and operations, office supply
• Gas stations
• Laundromats and drycleaners
• Electronics and telecommunications stores
• Industrial, construction, agricultural/seafood equipment and supply stores, hardware
  stores, general power equipment
• Funeral homes
• Auto repair and supply
• Banks and credit unions
• Firearms stores
• Healthcare and public safety professional uniform stores
• And other stores and businesses identified as critical by the Department of Business Regulation

Non-critical retail businesses include:

• Arts & crafts stores
• Florists
• Furniture stores (by appointment only)
• Car and other motor vehicle dealerships (except for auto repair and by appointment only)
• Music stores
• Billiard stores
• Sporting goods stores
• Home furnishings stores
• Book stores
• Departments stores
• Gift stores
• Beauty supply stores
• Second-hand/consignment stores
•  Shoe stores
• Clothing stores
• Jewelry stores
• Bike shops (service and repair permitted)
• Pool Stores (service and repair permitted)
• Landscape & Garden centers (Commercial clients: By appointment only, pick up and delivery permitted. Regular customers: pick up and delivery only)

In addition grocery stores and box stores are required to limit their capacity to no more than 20% of stated fire capacity in the store at one time.

Additional guidance:

• Restaurants and bars may continue to operate only for pickup, drive-through, and
  delivery as per the Governor’s Executive Order 20-04.
• All critical retail employers are required to implement social distancing guidelines
  (available at https://dbr.ri.gov/documents/Grocer_Guidelines_eng.pdf) and to work from
  home to the extent possible, as discussed in executive order 20-09.
• Executive order 20-14 required non-critical retail businesses to close at this time.
  Service-based businesses were not the subject of this executive order. Please note that a
  retail business usually sells things, whereas a service-based business usually does things.
  However, we do advise you to consult the other executive orders, including 20-15, as
  recreation, entertainment, and other close-contact service businesses are subject to
  restrictions and closures.
• We have received many inquiries for these service-based businesses. At this time, the
  following businesses are not considered to be retail operations, and are therefore,
  permitted to be open:
  – Dog Groomers, dog day care, dog walkers
  – All construction related activities
  – Self storage
  – Marinas
  – Car washes
•  Financial services offered by pawn shops and payday lenders are allowed to continue. In-person retail at pawn shops would be considered non-critical and closed.
•  For stores that are mixed retail and service, general retail with customers coming in and
  out of your store is not permitted.
•  For non-critical retail stores, although in-person retail sales are not allowed, retailers may
  continue to receive and ship orders made by phone or online. Additionally, you may offer curbside pick-up or delivery that follows all social distancing and sanitation
  guidelines.
• The State of RI has not deemed ANY business essential or non-essential at this time. There are no documents or certifications to travel for businesses across state lines.