Remember back in March, when you were searching the internet or grocery stores frantically for Charmin or Clorox Wipes? It may happen again. “With the winter season approaching, 57 percent of shoppers are considering replenishing their stockpile of goods originally created at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to a new survey from Inmar Intelligence, a data-driven technology-enabled services company. Read on to see what people plan to buy, and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had Coronavirus.
This is the #1 most stockpiled item, wth 67 percent of survey respondents saying they planned to order more. But do you really have to buy a ton? Vivek Joshi, senior vice president of Georgia-Pacific’s tissue business, which makes Angel Soft and Quilted Northern, told the Today Show “that within the past four to six weeks, there’s been more of their products on shelves. In March, the demand was double what it usually is, he said. Now, the industry is seeing a roughly 10-15% increase.” “The supply chain is catching up, and product is more readily available … and we can see that,” he said. “Our consumers are telling us that.”
Meanwhile, the makers of Charmin told the morning show that demand overall is ‘not nearly as intense’ as it was in March and February, but this changes ‘day to day,'” according to the Today Show. “Stock levels are improving for sure, but they’re not where we want them to be yet,” he added. “By large, we’re seeing increased purchases.”
Along with TP, hand sanitizer was a top pick, with 57 percent of survey respondents saying they planned to stock up. “This could be owed to the fact that these two products were in high demand during the first wave back in March and shoppers may be preparing for another surge in demand,” report the survey’s authors. It’s a great idea to have some at…hand. “Cleaning hands at key times with soap and water or hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to those around you,” says the CDC.
Fifty-two percent of respondents said they’d be stockpiling paper towels—if they can find any. “Long after the coronavirus sparked a run on them, retailers can’t keep their shelves full. Target.com had no Bounty paper towels for delivery this week, though it had some at certain stores,” reports the Wall Street Journal. “An average of 21% of household paper products were out of stock at U.S. stores as of Aug. 9, according to research firm IRI. The situation isn’t likely to abate soon, because producers have no plans to build new manufacturing capacity. The central piece of the machinery needed to make paper towels takes years to assemble.”
Fifty-three percent of respondents said they’d be buying these. Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are a top choice—”Effective, EPA-approved, and (usually) easy to find, these presoaked wipes need only four minutes of contact time to neutralize the coronavirus,” says Wirecutter—or try Lysol Disinfecting Wipes.
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An obvious choice, and a good one. No wonder 54 percent of respondents had them on their list. Following a disaster, it’s good to have on hand “Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables and a can opener. Protein or fruit bars. Dry cereal or granola. Peanut butter. Dried fruit. Canned juices. Non-perishable pasteurized milk. High-energy foods,” according to ready.gov.
Say the study’s authors: “45 percent of shoppers said that there are products they plan to purchase for the second stockpile that were not in the first, including frozen dinners, pasta, snacks and cleaning products.” As for yourself, buy wisely, be sure to also have plenty of face masks on hand, and to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don’t miss these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.
