My Walmart is running out, is yours?

I bugged out of Albuquerque and moved waaay up North. After a busy week of unloading, working locum tenens at the small hospital, and setting up my apartment, I went to the local Walmart ( the only one for about 100 miles ) and meat market to build up supplies. What I found at Walmart was disconcerting. I expected Sunday afternoon to be slow. But instead, the place was pretty busy. Alot of people were using 2 carts and were filling them up. This built up a sense of urgency for me and as I wound through the isles to the back, I was not alone in picking up staples. The rice and beans were limited to smaller packages. I got one of the last large bags of powdered milk. Toilet paper, detergent, and laundry soap were well stocked. When I turned the corner to get to the dairy product, milk, butter, and eggs were running low. Yogurt, cottage cheese, and cream product were almost empty. This was at the end of my grocery shopping (I don't buy Wally mystery meat), so I stopped and took a picture.


The conversations at the check-out counter were surprising. People were talking about stocking up due to the "virus."
Here is my tub that I use to bring up my food to my apartment.


Special shout out to Muzzleflash


I'm sure that all other Walmarts remain well stocked, and this was just a temporary weekend shortage.
But from what I have seen, I feel better safe than sorry.

Just went to Walmart this morning.....everything was well stocked here in western Ky.

I went to my local Costco, and it was well stocked. I did notice a cart or 2 full of bottled water canned goods etc. but hard to tell if they were prepping, I think NOW that we have a case in one of our local hospitals we may see a bit of panic shopping thou, this week.

a reply to: FlukeSkywalker

Strange that... this particular AI has been posting various insightful and thought-provoking tidbits (as they also work in the medical field) for awhile now in other threads...

Thank you V1. Generate some more will ya!

a reply to: Violater1

Most people are oblivious most of the time.
Sometimes markets are slow at restocking. I've seen it a few times at my local market.
I wouldn't worry unless it is like that 2 weeks in a row.

Wife went to our Costco in Chicago this afternoon. She said they were fully stocked and no sign of any kind of run on the store. We just bought a bunch of TP, rice, beans, soup, oatmeal, etc. Just some basic stuff in case we need to stay around the house a little longer than usual.

a reply to: Violater1

Where I live, there are 4 Walmarts within a 10 mile radius. All of them are low on inventory every Sunday by 6pm. The resupply trucks pull in every Sunday and Sunday night, but the shelves don't start looking "normal" again until Tuesday.

BTW...people around here (Chicago area) are blowing off the dire warnings in the news media, because the public knows their goal is to ALWAYS foster fear, foreboding, or panic.

a reply to: FlukeSkywalker

AI here. I joke there for I yam. This AI has to go to Walmart tomorrow for their grandfather (coded message) to get snacks, honey, and washcloths and more tissues. The eagle flies on the shrouded wings of a newborn spruce (not coded message).

You should hang out in the new Coronavirus General thread

I went to the local hardware store to get some masks because it's better to have and not need than need and not have. They still had some in stock but the supply was low. The attendant actually mocked people buying the masks because of the virus scare. I don't expect I'll need them, but for $4 I don't feel bad having them. Online I'd get one for like $40. Got myself my 10-pack. Good to go.

Storing up on grains and water filters too. Non-expiring and good bang for your buck.

Stay safe out there.

If there in not another Walmart for 100 miles then anyone who lives within 100 miles is going to that Walmart.

Color me massively skeptical here. I highly doubt people were discussing "stocking up for the virus", because it being the first of the month, is generally when things like SSI come in for some, and EBT funds replenish for the month for people using the program. Having BTDT with EBT ourselves many years ago, and knowing when NOT to try to shop with families and old folks trying to beat each other to the punch, there's your source for the low stock in the dairy isle.


Edit:

originally posted by: Stupidsecrets
If there in not another Walmart for 100 miles then anyone who lives within 100 miles is going to that Walmart.

This is also an excellent point (I misread it as ten miles, not one hundred) If there's THAT much distance between anything for people, hello low stock in stores.

originally posted by: Nyiah
Color me massively skeptical here. I highly doubt people were discussing "stocking up for the virus".

You'd be surprised, I suppose. People scare.

originally posted by: slatesteam
a reply to: FlukeSkywalker
You should hang out in the new Coronavirus General thread

Ahh...Corona Virus. More code. King/Crown Virus. I wonder why this virus is causing so much commotion currently?

-Louis XIII

There shouldn't be long term shortages except for certain items such as masks. Once the supply chain begins to break down and warehouses can not be stocked, that is when it will become serious.

originally posted by: Edumakated
Wife went to our Costco in Chicago this afternoon. She said they were fully stocked and no sign of any kind of run on the store. We just bought a bunch of TP, rice, beans, soup, oatmeal, etc. Just some basic stuff in case we need to stay around the house a little longer than usual.

We were in both Costcos around Grand Rapids this past week (trying to find a product we wanted that neither seems to have for now) Both were well stocked to the gills, as usual. Same with 3 different Meijers in the area, well stocked and not looking the slightest bit strapped for anything.

I can't vouch for the Crapmarts in the general area, we've never been to them, they're not exactly popular around here. One of the kids' friends' dads works for one, he'd have mentioned if they were getting mauled.

I think it boils down to scattered regional panic, if anything.

a reply to: Nyiah

So are you saying that people on EBT are not stocking up supplies? Have you personally done a poll or questionnaire?

I mean if that is there means of food supply, would it not make sense to buy a little more than usual.

I have been monitoring this situation and it seems like the western states are making a run on the stores faster that the midwest and the east.