COVID-19 Stole Our Change, This Is What Stores Are Doing To Get More

Coin shortage: COVID-19 Stole Our Change, This Is What Stores Are Doing To Get More

David P. Willis, Asbury Park Press  USA TODAY July 19, 2020

ASBURY PARK, N.J. – Businesses want your dimes and nickels.

In the midst of a nationwide coin shortage, some retailers ask for customers to use exact change, if possible, or even better, use a credit or debit card for payment.

Signs have gone up at quick-stops such as Wawa and large retailers such as Target and Lowe's. Supermarkets request exact change, if shoppers have it. Some Wawa locations ask customers to turn in rolled coins for the equivalent bills and a free soda or sub.

"It's sort of right up there with toilet paper," said John McWeeney, president and chief executive officer of the New Jersey Bankers Association. "It's a new shortage caused by COVID-19."

How's that?

A sign at a Wawa in Toms River, N.J., says people who bring in change, rolled or otherwise, could exchange it for dollar bills and a drink (for $5) or a sandwich ($10).

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People who would normally pay cash and shop at stores stayed home during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. They shopped online or used grocery delivery services. Stores were closed as states tried to tamp down the growth of COVID-19 cases.

"Cash is not moving as quickly and freely across the economy as it normally would," said Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst at Bankrate.com.

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