Why is there still a shortage of goods?
As the calendar turns from May to June, America is sailing into its fourth month of living with the new reality of the coronavirus pandemic. And part of that reality means empty store shelves. But why is there still a shortage of some goods?
Theft of toilet paper
Customers’ growing frustration has reached such extremes in some places that it has escalated into physical confrontations and larceny over rolls of toilet paper. In mid-March, Florida sheriff’s deputies arrested a man for allegedly stealing 66 toilet paper rolls from a Marriott hotel. In early April, Beverly Hills cops found 192 rolls of toilet paper in a stolen SUV. Customers are annoyed with seeing empty store shelves.
What’s behind the ongoing shortage of essential commodities like toilet paper? Why are we still seeing a shortage in supply weeks after the initial onset of the pandemic and the nationwide lockdown? When will the lack end?
Initial Panic
Manufacturers explain that the bare shelves we saw when the pandemic first began dominating headlines were likely due to the panic that swept through the country. The hysteria ignited by fear-mongering and feelings of insecurity led to mass buying in the stores.
This hysteria, in turn, led to frantic customers swarming stores and buying out paper towels, hand soap, disinfectant, and toilet paper. Suppliers were unprepared to meet the overwhelming demand. And goods were understandably limited or unavailable until they could replenish their stock. According to IRI, a market research firm, demand for toilet paper swelled to such great heights in March. So high sales peaked at $1.45 billion for the four weeks ending March 29. That’s a 112% increase from a year earlier.
Companies respond
“I can’t give you an exact number, but I will tell you we’re making more than ever,” says Arist Mastorides, president of family care for Kimberly-Clark North America, maker of Cottonelle toilet paper and other dry goods.
“It’s a significant amount to cover what we think will be used to with people traveling less and staying home more.
But why haven’t they caught up with the demand by now, nearly two months later?
Eric Abercrombie, a spokesman for Georgia-Pacific, the company that makes Quilted Northern toilet paper, explains that the shortage is due to a shift in the demand with the nationwide lockdown. It’s not that Americans are using more toilet paper at home than they do at work. But they use a different kind. The bath tissue generally sold to the commercial market is made of one-ply recycled fiber, while the type favored by consumers is a softer product made of two-ply virgin fiber. Suppliers need to adapt to this shift to meet the changing demands.
Still missing from the shelves
Some other products, like paper towels and hand soap, are still in short supply as manufacturers struggle to restock the shelves. There have also been some interruptions in the supply chain, such as workers calling in sick after contracting the virus or choosing not to come to work to keep themselves safe from becoming infected.
But there is hope on the horizon for the frustrated consumer. Manufacturers assure the public that they are hard at work to meet the changing demands. And working to replenish the depleted stock in stores around the country. Factories are running 24/7, and temporary workers are hired to cover for stay-at-home employees. In just a few weeks, the manufacturers say, customers should see fully stocked shelves once again.
Now, you know why there is still a shortage of goods. We will just have to be patient and support our favorite brands when the items are back on the shelves. And we need to be thankful for the companies trying to restock our shelves. We should also be grateful for stores, employees, factory workers, truck drivers, and delivery services. If you are struggling financially with COVID-19, we are here to help.
