Shoppers stock up on supplies as covid-19 cases climb again

When the coronavirus pandemic hit the area in the spring, there was a mad dash to grocery stores to stockpile on essential supplies — and as cases spike, it may be happening again.

In the early days of the pandemic, baking supplies, paper products and cleaning staples were in short supply. Other shortages cropped up throughout the summer and fall — including of pepperoni, canning jars and lids, laptops and even kiddie pools.

Some shoppers seem to be concerned that a new wave of shortages is coming as covid-19 cases climb throughout the state and Western Pennsylvania.

At Giant Eagle in New Kensington, Dan Best of Upper Burrell said he bought extra toilet paper in case it becomes hard to find again.

“It seems like supplies are a little lower, but it’s been that way throughout the entire episode,” Best said.

He said he’s concerned that the potential of another national shutdown during the winter months could lead to people hoarding essentials.

Paper products and Lysol disinfecting wipes are again a hot commodity at Charley Family Shop ’n Save stores in Murrysville and on North Main Street in Greensburg, said co-owner Tom Charley. Sales of toilet paper and paper towels are starting to pick up, just as they did in the spring when bare shelves in those aisles were commonplace around the region.

“People are definitely starting to eye that item up again,” he said. “Maybe it’s not going to be as bad.”

The stores have stocked disenfecting wipes similar to what Lysol makes, he said.

“Lysol wipes are impossible to get on a consistent basis,” he said.

The demand for certain items seems to come and go, but paper products and cleaning supplies have been on many shoppers’ lists for months. Frozen vegetables were popular with shoppers in the spring, but not so much now, Charley said.

Dan McAndrews of New Kensington reported that he’d been struggling to find toilet cleaner, something he was hoping to buy Tuesday at the Giant Eagle in New Kensington. He said he wasn’t concerned about stockpiling on other necessities, but was surprised toilet cleaner was so difficult to find.

One Lower Burrell woman said she’s been stocking up on cleaning supplies, paper products and other essential items as much as she could throughout the pandemic. She said she still couldn’t find Lysol anywhere and struggled to find disinfecting wipes.

“These are things you cannot find,” she said.

Meanwhile, Craig Frank of Lower Burrell said he’s not ready to change his shopping habits. While he acknowledged there was a chance of supply shortages, he said he didn’t plan on stocking up on any specific products.

Lucretia Dorsey of Hempfield said she’s heard of bare shelves starting to pop up in other stores, but that wasn’t the case on Tuesday at the Youngwood Shop ’n Save.

“This is a pretty good day to do some shopping,” she said.

However, there have been a few things she’s been unable to find recently — Tilex and pumpkin in a specific type of can to make pumpkin pies.

Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle is asking shoppers to refrain from bulk purchasing, spokesman Richard Roberts said. The chain could consider limiting purchases if the inventory of household items starts running low, he said.

“If we all work together, we can ensure that everyone has access to the items they need for themselves and their families,” he said.

The grocer has used deliveries, relationships with existing suppliers and new partnerships to bring back stock of in-demand items, he said.