Tops Markets — Customer Service Desk Hours (Comprehensive Guide)

This guide explains how Tops Markets typically schedules and staffs its customer service desks, how to find exact hours for any store, and what practical preparations to make before you visit. It is written for shoppers, managers, and customer-service professionals who need reliable, actionable details about desk availability, holiday adjustments, and related services such as returns, lottery, special orders, and pharmacy overlaps. Wherever I give example times or windows they are labeled as illustrative; always confirm with the specific store.

Tops Markets maintains variation by location and season; corporate guidance sets expectations, but local store management implements final hours. Use the store locator on the official Tops site (https://www.topsmarkets.com/locations) or call the store number on that page before traveling for time-sensitive matters such as returns or large special orders.

Typical scheduling patterns and staffing rationale

Customer service desk hours at full-service Tops stores generally mirror store front-end hours but can close earlier than the main checkout lanes. In multi-department stores (e.g., with deli/seafood or full pharmacy), desks are commonly staffed during peak traffic windows: early morning (7:00–10:00), midday (11:00–14:00), and late afternoon/early evening (15:00–19:00). These windows align staff presence with high-contact activities: returns, special orders, lottery, money orders, and customer inquiries.

Management schedules desks to balance staffing costs with service level targets. Typical staffing rationale: one dedicated CSR during low-traffic hours, two to three CSRs during peak hours on weekdays, and an extra CSR on Saturdays between 10:00–16:00. For planning purposes, expect service-level waits of 3–8 minutes during off-peak times and 8–20+ minutes during weekend mid-day surges unless the store adds temporary coverage.

Example desk-hour patterns and holiday behavior (illustrative)

• Example daily patterns: (A) Weekdays: 7:00–20:00; Weekends: 7:30–19:00 — (B) Weekdays: 6:00–22:00 (pharmacy overlap); Weekends: 7:00–20:00. Use these as templates — verify locally.
• Core holiday adjustments: New Year’s Day and Memorial Day — reduced hours (commonly 8:00–18:00); Independence Day and Labor Day — shortened evening hours (often closing by 18:00–20:00); Thanksgiving — many stores close or operate limited morning hours; Christmas Day — most Tops stores are closed. During Black Friday and the two weeks before major holidays, desks often extend evening coverage to handle increased returns and special orders.
• Pharmacy and lottery exceptions: in stores with in-house pharmacies, the pharmacy counter may open earlier or close later than the customer service desk. Pharmacy hours follow state regulations and are usually listed separately on the store page; do not assume the customer service desk follows the pharmacy schedule.

How to confirm exact customer service desk hours for any Tops location

The single most reliable method is the Tops store locator: go to https://www.topsmarkets.com/locations, enter your ZIP code or city, and open the store detail page. That page lists store hours, pharmacy hours (if present), and the store phone number. Store pages are updated frequently for holiday schedules and weather-related closures.

If you need immediate confirmation, call the phone number listed on the store page. When you call, state your request concisely: “Hello — I’m calling to confirm the customer service desk hours today and whether returns and special orders are being handled at this desk.” Request the CSR’s name and confirm any document requirements (receipt, ID, card used) while on the call so you arrive prepared.

Services tied to the customer service desk and timing considerations

The customer service desk typically handles returns and exchanges, gift cards, special orders for bakery/deli/catering, money orders, check cashing limits, and lottery claim processing. Return policies vary by item: perishable grocery items and produce are usually addressed immediately with an on-the-spot refund or replacement; non-perishable packaged goods and household items are commonly processed with a 30-day return window as a baseline, although electronics or seasonal items may have longer manufacturer or store-specific policies.

For large special orders (e.g., party platters, holiday turkeys), place the order at least 48–72 hours in advance for same-week pickups and up to 7–14 days for very large or specialty requests. Customer service will schedule a pickup window and may require a deposit; confirm the deposit amount and refund/forfeiture terms at the time you place the order.

Practical tips to minimize wait time and avoid surprises

1) Always check the store page before you leave: hours can change for weather, staffing, or local ordinances. 2) Bring proof of purchase (receipt or digital receipt), the card used for payment if the return was by card, and a government ID for claims requiring identification (lottery, large check returns, certain refunds). These three items will reduce processing time by 30–60% in many cases.

If your need is time-critical (e.g., a large catering pickup or a high-value return), call the store and ask to speak with the customer service manager or store manager to confirm desk coverage and request a reservation or appointment time. For ongoing issues or escalations, use the corporate contact form on topsmarkets.com/contact-us so there is a written trail; include store number, date/time of incident, and any transaction numbers to accelerate resolution.

What are the hours for Tops customer service?

If you have a comment for your order, special gift card order, or special pick up / mailing request, please contact our Consumer Affairs Dept. at 1-800-522-2522 Opt 3. Mon-Fri 8AM-8PM, Saturday-Sunday 9AM-3PM to confirm your order can be processed to meet your needs.

Does Tops give holiday pay?

TOPS employees may be eligible to receive benefits such as vacation and sick leave, Core (Catastrophic Illness) or Mid‐level Medical Insurance, Life Insurance, Accidental life and dismemberment Insurance, and Holiday Pay. Eligibility varies based on the length of the TOPS assignment.

What day is senior day at Tops Market?

🎉 Seniors 60+ save 6% today and every first Tuesday of the month.

How much do Tops Friendly Markets pay?

Average Tops Friendly Markets hourly pay ranges from approximately $12.15 per hour for Donut Maker to $62.05 per hour for Staff Pharmacist. The average Tops Friendly Markets salary ranges from approximately $20,000 per year for Deli Associate to $64,735 per year for Warehouse Supervisor.

Is Tops owned by Ahold?

1991 was a pivotal year when Tops was acquired by Ahold, a major international food retail conglomerate based in the Netherlands. In 2001, Tops formed an alliance with Giant Food stores, a fellow Ahold company, based in Carlisle, PA.

Who bought out Tops Markets?

The stores will now be owned and overseen by Northeast Grocery, with current President and CEO of Price Chopper/Market 32 managing the merger & Tops Friendly Markets CEO Frank Curci taking over in February 2022. The FTC required the combined company to divest from 12 of the combined companies’ stores.