Community Chat

[Jordan2]

I went to the grocery store today, now I usually don't go on Mondays so this could be a weekend thing, but the shelves were bare. Frozen food, dairy, and produce especially ( I didn't look at the meat section). Also I have looked for Thomas Bagel Thins for three weeks at Foodtown, Stop & Shop, King Kullen, and Target no one has it, I have asked about it in three of the stores with no answer. Are we going backwards again where we won't find goods we need due to manufacturing or distribution problems ( or hoarding)?

[On It]

I think a lot of what we are seeing is pent up demand. We were confined to our homes so long, and in my case we ate what we could get online or delivered. Going to the market and buying what we want is still a treat, especially fresh and frozen items.

Suppliers are having to meet the sudden surge in demand and can't ramp up production quickly enough to avoid shortages. The grocery store here is always crowded. We try to go before 8:00 am Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. That gives them time to restock after the weekend, and gives us a chance to get in and out before payday and the coming weekend.

[Anonymous032819]

There is also a shortage of truck drivers to deliver the goods.

[Nightowlz]

I generally order online to pickup. My last order from Wal-mart online was out of stock of more items.

We keep our pantry & freezer full.

I read it's due to shortage of workers since they want to collect unemployment instead of going back to work, less truck driver's etc. They also are not bringing back a lot of items we could buy before. Stores will have to rearrange their shelves again.

[Sweetbay magnolia]

Thankfully, that wasn't the case when I stopped by the store this morning.  It's not a long term trend I've seen, either.  At least in my area.

[4kitties]

Yes.

There is an employee shortage.  Stores are desperate for employees.  One grocery store I frequent has had to close down their deli.  No one to work it.

One of our Walmarts never has milk in the case where customers can reach it.  But many cases of milk in the back.  No employee to put them in the case in reach of customers.  It is very sad...........

[Cakers3]

@Jordan2   It isn't just you.

We stopped in a local grocery chain and some shelves were empty along with much of the frozen food-specifically frozen dinners and frozen pizza.

Ice cream was abundant but frozen veggies were so-so.

Bread was abundant but some house supplies such as paper towels had dwindled down.

I posted an article from WSJ someplace around here a few day ago describing how grocers are stockpiling groceries.

Trader Joe's seems ok for now but Whole Foods is hit or miss lately although right now produce seems abundant.

[Imaoldhippie]

My thought is that companies cant get enough help, there is not enough truck drivers, grocery stores cant get help to stock shelves fast enough.

[proudlyfromNJ]

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@4kitties wrote:

Yes.

There is an employee shortage.  Stores are desperate for employees.  One grocery store I frequent has had to close down their deli.  No one to work it.

One of our Walmarts never has milk in the case where customers can reach it.  But many cases of milk in the back.  No employee to put them in the case in reach of customers.  It is very sad...........

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@4kitties  It is very sad. Are the stores advertising for employees? I haven't seen this at the stores around here thank goodness. 

[Porcelain]

Are you guys are saying that truck drivers are staying home and refusing to work? Why? I thought they were driving, fairly heroically, all through the pandemic and did not lose their jobs. I would think truck drivers would all still be on the job. What happened to reduce the number of truck drivers?