COLUMBIA, S.C. —
The dockworkers' strike that threatened to limit the supply of goods nationwide has been suspended, which is good news for supplies in areas hard hit by Hurricane Helene.
But before the strike was over, fears over its potential impact led to panic buying in several states, including South Carolina. Store shelves have been looking bare over the last few days as storm victims needed supplies.
"I do think they panicking, they are over panicking,” said Columbia resident Clarice Robinson.
Robinson said she was confused when she noticed people filling their shopping carts and buying everything on the grocery store's shelves. She later realized that people were panicking about the port worker's strike.
"It's just due to the anticipated shortage that might occur in the future, and so that just leads to the desire to stock up on your own personal inventory today," said research economist at the University of South Carolina Joseph Von Nessen.
Kroger said it is taking short-term steps to combat panic buying's impacts on its inventory.
"To ensure all customers have access to what they need, we have proactively and temporarily set purchase limits per customer on certain products, including paper towels, toilet paper and water," Kroger said in a statement.
Each customer can only buy six bath tissues, paper towels, and eight packs of bottled water.
"You know 'cause you don't want to be without these items; you need your toiletries and stuff like that," Robinson said. "You make sure you have enough water; you want to make sure you got all these supplies that you need."
American Forest and Paper Association President and CEO Heidi Brock also released a statement.
"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.
They are also not aware of any impacts on tissue products.
"If consumers are looking to stock up or are worried about a future potential shortage, then that can create a current shortage," said Von Nessen.