Panic buying is creating supply disruptions at Historic Triangle grocery stores. Experts say there’s no need to stock pile.

Toilet paper shortages in some stores across the Historic Triangle are giving locals nightmarish flashbacks to 2020.

Social media has been alight with residents complaining about low supplies of certain household staples. Long lines have also been reported.

• “No toilet paper or paper towels at Kroger on 17,” one York County social media user said in a Facebook post on Oct. 2. 

Panic buying has been happening nationwide in response to a dockworker strike that began on Tuesday across the East Coast and Gulf Coast. About 300 people were seen waiting in line at an Alexandria Costco on Wednesday afternoon, according to The Washington Post. Many appeared to be stocking up on all kinds of bulk items in fear of a potential shortage.

• “Hope you have some toilet paper stock piled. It’s started. Sam’s and Costco are depleted,” another person said on the platform X, sharing a photo of nearly empty shelves. 

Experts say the port strike has caused some hiccups in the supply chain. But they emphasize that panic buying – which has in part been fueled by a social media frenzy – is unnecessary and is creating supply problems.

The current shortages are not actually from the port closures but rather from people buying them up in large quantities, according to Robert McNab, Chair of the Economics Department at Old Dominion University. 

• “Consumers have heard about the strike and ports being closed, and they remember the empty shelves of 2020,” McNab told The Triangle. “Social media is playing a role here and reinforcing the narrative of shortages when, in fact, shortages do not yet exist. What consumers are causing are local supply disruptions rather than impacting the entire supply chain.”

No primary goods shortage: McNab explained that the current shortages are a “psychological reaction to uncertainty,” unlike in 2020 when there were true supply-chain disruptions involving toilet paper and other nonperishable household staples.

What’s next: On Thursday night, striking dockworkers agreed to return to work after reaching a tentative deal that will suspend further strikes until Jan. 15 to allow for time to negotiate a new contract. The Port of Virginia has officially reopened. McNab said if the agreement holds, supply chain disruptions from the strike will be limited and “most consumers will not notice anything outside of panic buying.”

Meanwhile, retail trade associations are urging people only to buy what they currently need.

• “There is no need for panic buying, and we encourage consumers to shop responsibly,” the National Retail Federation said in a statement. “If you don’t need an item in the next two weeks, please leave it for someone who does.”