Walking into a department or grocery store this week feels like déjà vu.
Empty toilet paper shelves in some stores have once again become a common specter as consumers returned to pandemic-style panic-buying this week amid news of port strikes.
The Walmart store on Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway had low stock of toilet paper, eggs and milk this morning, while Costco and Sam’s Club store shelves in the greater Phoenix area were completely devoid of the crapper-side commodity.
Panicky public response has irked some Maricopans.
“Ya’ll never heard of bidets?” asked city dweller Brandy Johnson on social media. “Did you heathens learn nothing from 2020?”
The supply shortage is only indirectly related to the massive port strike. Approximately 50,000 members of the International Longshoreman’s Association began striking at midnight yesterday, stymying the flow of imports and exports from East and Gulf Coast ports.
Depending on how long the strike lasts, it could have a major impact on imported goods like bananas, cherries, sugar, cocoa, alcohol, seafood, electronics and auto parts, according to USA Today.
But toilet paper? Only if you really prefer it imported from South America or Europe.
The American Forest & Paper Association said consumers shouldn’t panic over whether they’ll have enough paper to clean their cheeks. In a statement issued today, CEO Heidi Brock said the strike isn’t expected to impact toilet paper delivery in the country.
“Approximately 85% of tissue paper demand, which includes toilet paper, paper towels, napkins and facial tissue, in the U.S. is supplied by U.S. tissue producers,” Brock said.
Thankfully, the self-imposed toilet paper shortage isn’t affecting all stores, and the fad won’t last.
Locally, Bashas’, Fry’s Marketplace and Karsten’s Maricopa Ace Hardware all confirmed they have a decent amount of loo rolls left in stock.
Costco representatives in Tempe said they expected a shipment of toilet paper today and the Chandler Sam’s Club estimated receiving more by the weekend. Walmart consumers will have to wait a bit longer; the Maricopa store doesn’t anticipate another shipment until Oct. 14.
#tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item1 {
background: url(https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/BCM_8332-160×120.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;
}
#tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item2 {
background: url(https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/BCM_8291-160×120.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;
}
#tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item3 {
background: url(https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/BCM_8297-160×120.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;
}
#tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item4 {
background: url(https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/BCM_8293-160×120.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;
}
#tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item5 {
background: url(https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_20241003_133012549-160×120.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;
}
1 of 5
A Walmart customer stands at a check-out line with her shopping cart full of bottled water on Oct. 3, 2024. [Bryan Mordt]
Shelves at the Walmart on Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway shows low toilet paper stock on Oct. 3, 2024. [Bryan Mordt]
A Walmart employee restocks merchandise on Oct. 3, 2024. [Bryan Mordt]
Shoppers and a store employee look through the limited toilet paper supply inside Walmart on Oct. 3, 2024. [Bryan Mordt]
Once packed with toilet paper, bays inside a Chandler Sam’s Club stand empty on Oct. 3, 2024. Workers estimated more toilet paper may arrive by Monday. [Thomas Spencer]
This post Maricopa, stop panic-buying toilet paper appeared first on InMaricopa.