Will grocery stores be ready for a second wave of COVID-19 panic shopping?

Are grocery stores ready for more pandemic panic shopping?

As we get ready for the holidays and a possible second wave of pandemic panic shopping, grocery stores are getting ready for shoppers to hit them hard.

Even as we are talking about all the new holiday offerings that brands will be dropping in grocery stores and big box stores like Costco and Sam’s Club, there are still issues surrounding COVID-19 and the potential surge in cases that we will be seeing as the holidays roll around. And because of the pandemic, there are plenty of people predicting that we will be seeing even more panic shopping, just like we saw back in March and April of 2020.

However, now that grocery stores and other food establishments have dealt with the pandemic and shut downs, are they ready for another round of closures and panic shopping? According to Today, it seems that some shoppers are already starting to panic shop and some grocery stores are doing what they can to prepare for even more panic shopping, as well as the expected holiday shopping.

Grocery stores are already starting to feel the heat of panic shoppers

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Even now, grocers are struggling to keep up with shopper demands, and store shelves are starting to feel the crush of panic shopping. And while the store owners are doing what they can to prepare for even more pandemic panic shoppers to head their way, there are still going to be shortages. (One of our writers already talked about the items we would likely see a shortage of as people continue stocking up.)

It seems that right now, shoppers are stocking up on frozen meals, fresh meats, and basically anything they can freeze. Some shoppers are even looking at getting a second freezer so that they have enough to last them through shortages and shutdowns.

At this point grocers are encouraging shoppers to stick to buying what they need, because if they start hoarding supplies it will in fact lead to the feared shortages. And at this point, they are already struggling to get the groceries people want as the brands themselves have been depleted. Even as manufacturers are doing what they can to put more goods into production, there will still be delays in getting those items into stores quickly.

While we may be prepping for the holidays and sharing new releases heading our way, there are items that still haven’t been replenished in stores. Grocery stores are doing what they can to be prepared for panic shopping, but they can only do so much, and it all depends on the warehouses and brands being able to deliver what they need.

Will you be stocking up on supplies in case of closures and shortages? Are you already seeing issues with things not being in stock at the store? Tell us in the comments below.