Has A 'Second Wave' Of Panic Shopping Started Again?

Store Shelves Are Emptying Again As Second Wave Of Panic Shopping Has Begun

SUSAN DUCLOS 

With some establishment media finally joining the party, and catching up and reporting on different types of shortages still being seen randomly throughout America, we note new shortages expected will be on items that generally weren’t a problem the last time around.

One of the main points people seem to ignore or forget is that grocery stores and other places to purchase food are still not recovered from the initial rounds of panic shopping when the COVID-19 lockdowns first began.

Recent reports show stores are trying to get their stocks replenished, while at the same time trying to prepare for another round of panic shopping, which according to some reports, has already begun.

Another things we have been hearing about is the lack of variety and ability to obtain certain brands, as many companies have limited their choices in order to keep other items available.

When the coronavirus pandemic first struck, grocery retailers across the nation were scrambling to restock shelves as consumers panic-shopped for canned goods, flour, yeast and most curiously, toilet paper. Now, with a second wave of COVID-19 looming and fear over potential unrest around the presidential election, consumers are aggressively stocking up on various foods. And grocers are struggling to keep up with the demand.

“As of now what we are seeing is the start of the second wave of panic,” said Chris Mentzer, the director of operations for Rastelli Market Fresh in New Jersey. “Our customers keep telling me how they are looking for any type of freezer to purchase so they can start stocking up their homes now. Their main concern is meat.” He explained that customers are mainly looking to buy and freeze beef and poultry — ground beef, steaks, roasts and all varieties of chicken.

“They’re also starting to buy a lot of frozen meals and frozen pizzas,” said Mentzer. “We are seeing anything that can be microwaved quickly or easily made in the oven for kids, fly off the shelves, as people are preparing for schools and colleges to be closed this winter — along with a run on dried goods and paper goods, as well.”

Usually on these food shortage reports we list available items for readers to get online to avoid having to get caught up in the chaos of panic shoppers, at the bottom of the article, which we will also do here, but we will add some throughout as we report on it.

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