Retailers cope with demand amid misplaced fear, panic.
TRURO, N.S. – Retail shelves have been left bare in recent days as people across Nova Scotia joined the panic to purchase certain items.
Toilet paper is one of the main items many people think they need to have in abundance if they’re affected by COVID-19.
Jim Cornier, director of the Retail Council of Canada, said there’s no need for people to panic.
“As retailers, we want to be very clear there’s not a supply shortage,” he said. “There’s been an increase in demand and retailers are doing what can be done to take care of it. Some retailers are dealing with a backlog created during the rail stoppages. Supply chains are complicated and it’s difficult to access more product quickly, but we have manufacturers who aren’t far away.”
Supplies of hand sanitizer and disinfectants have also been depleted in some shops and empty spaces have appeared in canned, boxed and frozen foods sections.
Cormier said sometimes there is a big run on certain products, but retailers adjust and the shelves are soon restocked.
Mark Boudreau, director of corporate affairs for Loblaw Atlantic, said the company understands the frustration an empty shelf can cause and is working to restock items as quickly as possible.
“Our teams have increased inventory on those products and wherever possible we expect to be fully back in stock in the coming days,” he said. “In some cases, limits may be imposed to help us ensure more customers have access to the products they need.”
To reduce the number of people crowded together, Atlantic Superstore is eliminating pickup fees for all PC Express online grocery orders.
Some restaurants have reduced the number of tables to allow for more space between customers and some have temporarily closed.
Ivanhoé Cambridge announced that shops in its malls, which includes Dartmouth’s
Mic Mac Mall, have the option to reduce hours to 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Sunday hours will remain at noon to 5 p.m.
Indigo stores, which include Chapters and Coles, has reduced the time they’re open to these hours while The Body Shop has temporarily closed its retail stores across North Amercia.
Dr. Simon Sherry, professor at Dalhousie University, said the shopping behaviour being posted online is emotionally driven.
“People are not following the rational recommendations; they’re following the recommendations of fear and anxiety.
“Anxiety takes hold when we act based on a perceived threat, and it lends itself to doomsday-type thinking.
“Emotions like fear and panic can be transmitted rapidly from one person to another. There’s an endless onslaught of information.”
He pointed out that it’s rational to have a couple of weeks’ worth of supplies ahead, but no need to buy enormous amounts.
“At a global level it’s difficult to control, but locally we can control our responses,” he said. “Panic is a misguided effort and we have to direct our energy in the right direction. We have to focus on protecting people that are 70-plus, are ill or have compromised health.”