The chances you’ll see hand sanitizer, toilet paper and other hard-to-find items return for good to now-empty store shelves will increase greatly if people stop “overbuying” and return to normal shopping practices, several retail business representatives said during a telephone news conference.
“The system is being taxed specifically because of fears a store might close,” said Chelsea Minor, a spokeswoman for Raley’s Supermarkets. If people would buy in the “standard way,” to provide for a few days, empty shelves will fill up again.
Minor and four other representatives of grocery and pharmacy chains took part Tuesday in the fourth of a series “coronavirus telephone town hall” news conferences moderated by state Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, whose district includes much of Alameda and Contra Costa counties. A similar phone conference Sunday brought together county health officers and health providers from the two counties.
Representatives of four companies said they’re committed to keep stores open, and that fears of closures should not drive stockpiling of certain goods.
“We have a solid supply chain … it’s just a matter of getting that stuff onto the shelves and keeping it there long enough for more consumers to get it,” said Kelly Ash, chief lobbyist for the California Grocers Association. “The supply is safe, but that’s going to come with everybody taking a breath, and purchasing only what they need.”
Keeping people safe in the stores is another concern now, particularly in terms of “social distancing.”
Store spokespeople said some steps are already happening, especially in pharmacies. Maureen Cormier, a vice president of CVS Health, said that waiting-area chairs at pharmacies have been moved farther apart, or removed altogether, with customers asked to wait outside or in their cars. Coming next, she said, could be physical spacing requirements in the stores; many stores’ policies are still being crafted.
Washing hands and using hand sanitizer will remain key elements in staying safe in the coronavirus era.
The spokespeople acknowledged Tuesday that there’s nothing stopping people from touching items in the stores and leaving them for others to pick up and buy. But Minor of Raley’s said the odds of the virus being present on fresh fruit and vegetables are relatively long, and that a basic produce wash is effective.
A produce managers’ bigger concern, Minor said, is keeping the shelf surfaces clean.
The reusable grocery bags more and more shoppers use, however, are a different story. “That’s always been a concern,” Ash said. “Bags need to be washed like hands.” Glazer suggested that the 10-cent fee for store bags should be waived during the coronavirus scare; Ash said that will be discussed.
While some suggestions have been made to set aside some times for seniors and other vulnerable groups to shop away from the general population.
But the retail spokespeople Tuesday didn’t support that idea, saying having seniors and others stay at home is the safest course for them. Instead, they said their companies are beefing up delivery capacity for seniors and everyone else.
Store employees also need to stay safe. Stefan Van Wyk, a regional vice president with Rite Aid drugstores, said employees there are being issued “sanitation kits” with hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray and soap.
I’m concerned with the report from Costco that their warehouse normally contained a six month supply of toilet paper. That supply was sold in less than a week. That’s a sign of both that we are unprepared for a large disaster such as an earthquake combined with some hoarding.
Again, how much money do people save shopping at Costco?
Some people I know seem obsessed with Costco and can’t go anywhere else. I haven’t had any trouble getting TP at other stores.
What’s more concerning to me is that besides paper goods, a lot of the food will expire or simply rot before it can be consumed, creating even more waste.
Greed and panic is a terrible combination.
Scary, I’m always looking for TP after a quake.
You know what might help; the stores putting a limit on quantity of purchase..
Costco has a two package limit on TP but families come in there with each taking a shopping cart and buying two packages. They are inconsiderate slobs in my opinion.
my sister in Oregon was in line at Costco; they were handing out tickets to buy toilet paper; you waited in line for them first come first serve. The person right behind her got the last ticket. With it you could buy one 30 roll pack for $22.99.
in other news; sales of loperamide have skyrocketed.
ok, I can’t resist, but here is one of my observations:
People are hoarding toilet paper and at the same time stockpiling BEANS! Anyone else see the problem here??????
yes and taking all the rice.
Safeway needs to put those things out every few hours, not all at once for the hoarders to rush in swoop.
The grocery store is the worst possible place to be as far as picking up Corona virus, but these people are uneducated in many ways and will be sorry.
Trader Joe’s has done just that. Only 2 of each item and only one full shopping cart.Great idea 🙂
It’s the start of the retail week for most grocers so went to Nob Hill to pick up stuff that was gone on Monday. Some shelves were still empty particularly the break shelves. Will check again on Friday for remaining items.
I see things starting to slow down at the local grocery stores. That according to my local grocery stores…
I went to CVS yesterday to pick up some TP because, well, I’m almost out of TP, and CVS is right down the street from me. The entire aisle was cleared out. I noticed a small display of Kleenex in another area and got a few boxes just in case. People need to chill on the hoarding.
While some stores have begun implementing limits, others have not. No store should be allowing people to check out with large supplies of stuff, except for seniors.
People need to not touch stuff. I saw one person at Whole Foods grab a thing of Kale, look at it, and put it back. There needs to be staff people enforcing the rule: “you touch it, you buy it”.
I have been cooking every vegetable, including lettuce, because I don’t know who has touched it. Even stuff like apples and pears should probably be cooked, not eaten raw.
I normally reuse my paper bags over and over until they fall apart. But now they get used once, and put into the recycling.
You said you have a steady supply chain. Well if business is good, double your order to keep a supply in demand. Your stores should be happy with the sales. when you can’t keep bread on the shelf for your customers your order increases right? If you have a steady supply chain its a no-brainer, increase your order.
No rice or pasta at Concord Safeways at 11:30 today. Checked their home delivery option and very little that we use was available there. Checked Amazon and they too don’t have much of what we want. Not sure who’s buying all this product. If they run out of meat, I may have to start hunting squirrels
The hoarders are causing the problems. At some point their garages will be so stuffed they can’t buy more. I went to Safeway two days ago looking for milk, but also found TP and paper towels. I was lucky and they had a few items being restocked. I will try for lettuce and a bag of coffee later today.
Drove past Winco Pittsburg, Police vehicles out front and a line of 40 plus people apparently waiting.
That was a called in Bomb threat. Nothing to do with crowds or hysteria other than the loser who called it in.
I saw a picture of a sign at Safeway that on Tues. and Thurs, from store opening to 9:00 am, shoppers should try to avoid the store to allow seniors and at risk people to shop.
No S, is that what retailers say? Surprising
Anyone with at least half a brain would’ve seen this shortage coming at least a week before it materialized
Brain function aside, shortages in the event of a crisis are to be expected, and many of us are prepared. Hoarding out of fear or to make a profit by reselling is a different issue. It affects those of us who are actually decent people and contributing members of society.
Yes, and would you expect otherwise from some members of society?
And why would you not stock up when you sensed danger coming? This is normal human behavior; call it hoarding or whatever you will
Duh. Now there is pure genius. “Less overbuying will keep store shelves stocked” Stuff like that makes the mind wobble.
Does their incompetence have no bounds? Or is ir just a setup?
RT: I am referring to the people who grab all they can and re-sell it to others in order to make a profit. Not those who are being reasonable and who want to be prepared.
I seen that happen at Sams Club. They have their kid push around another basket and get more than their limit. They get away with it because Sams have self check out and no one to monitor it.