Why You Can't Find Everything You Want at Grocery Stores

[question everything]

Grocery-store chains are still battling supply challenges that some executives said are as bad as what they saw in spring 2020, when hoarding left holes in stocks of some staples. Industry executives say new problems are arising weekly, driven by shortages of labor and raw materials. Groceries including frozen waffles and beverages remain scarce as some food companies anticipate disruptions lasting into 2022. A wider range of products is running short and logistical challenges are compounding for many retailers.

Donny Rouse, chief executive of Louisiana-based Rouses Markets, said he is struggling to fill shelves as his company runs low on everything from pet food to canned goods. The chain of more than 60 supermarkets is sometimes receiving as little as 40% of what it orders, prompting Mr. Rouse and his staff to try to secure products earlier and more often. Before the pandemic, Rouses received well over 90% of its orders.

Many grocery chains said that it is hard to predict how complete or on-time their deliveries will be due to limited guidance from suppliers, and executives said there is often little recourse when trucks show up with a fraction of what was ordered. Demand is higher than expected by retailers, with monthly sales up about 14% from two years ago and 3% from a year ago, according to data from research firm IRI.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-you-cant-find-everything-you-want-at-grocery-stores-11629633601 (subscription)

[Hugh_Lebowski]

1. I went grocery shopping last night, hoping to maybe get a date

But they were totally out.

I was practically the only one there in the store the whole time.

Just kidding, actually I purposefully go at 9pm on Sundays cause I know it's DESERTED.

Though the checker girl did flirt with me a bit, which was flattering cause I'm like ... old ... and she was much my junior.

[luvs2sing]

2. I noticed this a couple years before the pandemic.

the big national chains started carrying fewer items. Everything is done by algorithm now. What sells the most, which is usually prepared stuff and snacks stuff. As someone who cooks almost everything from scratch, I have to go to specialty stores to find the things I used to be able to find at the neighborhood supermarket..really exotic stuff, like..dried mushrooms.

[question everything]

4. But now there are everyday items that are not there. Or, at least not every week

Chippewa gallon of water, Philadelphia whipped cream cheese, small container of heavy whipping cream..

[luvs2sing]

5. True, but..

I have been seeing that for a couple years, too. I think the supply chain was getting screwed up as early as 2017.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

6. I haven't seen diet Sierra Mist since March '20

Regular Sierra Mist just started showing up a couple months ago.
Cherry Coke was scarce for quite a while too.

[question everything]

7. From the same story

Amber Edwards, a mother of two who lives in Huntsville, Ala., said she has driven this summer to multiple supermarkets in her area for large packs of cherry Gatorade but has only found small sizes of other flavors.

“The shelves are empty, and online they are always out of stock,” Ms. Edwards said, adding that she has been buying whatever she can find.

[Sherman A1]

3. Yup,

COVID caused a huge shift in demand. Couple that with supply chain hiccups and the just in time ordering systems that became the rage to hold down warehouse and backroom inventories you end up with empty shelves.

[Totally Tunsie]

8. I posted about this very thing last Saturday.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1018&pid=1548087

Even with Stop & Shop's huge buying power, they have been badly stocked lately. It's on the supply side - not a pandemic hoarding issue at this point. It's also SO random. Dairy creamers and such are limited, and some brands of frozen pizza are about missing. Stop & Shop hasn't had Wondra Flour for months - the clerk telling me it's a "seasonal item". I finally ordered it online.

I've been limiting my trips out, so being unable to purchase what I'm looking for is doubly annoying. It's not exotic stuff!

[dflprincess]

10. I have a 95 year old aunt who is going to storm Starbuck's

corporate offices if she doesn't get her hands on some of their bottled mocha frappes soon.

I managed to grab the last two 4 packs one of the local grocery stores had & I think it may get me a mention in the will.

[stopdiggin]

11. that's working the system!

totally approve! ya gotta' know the angles ..
----- ---- -----

[Totally Tunsie]

13. It's available online through Amazon.

$35.92 for 15-pack 9.5 oz. bottles. Free Shipping.

I tried linking to the page, but it included access to my personal info and had to be deleted. If you just highlight "bottled mocha frappes" on your post, you can search it easily.

[dflprincess]

16. Thank you!

I walk off with the whole estate if this works!

(Just to be clear, I am joking about the will.)

[Totally Tunsie]

17. LOL

[area51]

15. Is there a Kroger or similar store where your aunt is?

I'd seen a similar drink offered there in the past. Here's a list of chains that Kroger owns.

[dflprincess]

18. Thanks,

But none of them in the area.

[bamagal62]

14. I know someone who works in supply chain

For a major retailer. They are having a hell of a time getting their orders. Sometimes it’s the factory, sometimes it’s the shipping, sometimes it’s trucking.
He’s had to cancel orders for winter and are now trying to find a way to get the new orders onto planes instead of ships. This COVID variant is wreaking havoc on supply chains. They just can’t get the merchandise.

[LeftInTX]

19. Restaurants still have limited menus...

Not that I mind all that much..
Pointing it out

I still find what I need at the grocery store, however I noticed there was less choice for example with cleaners...