Watch Out, Pandemic Hoarders: These Grocery Stores Are Already Setting Item Limits

A recent survey from Inmar Intelligence found that roughly 57% of shoppers are now “considering replenishing their stockpile of goods originally created at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic” in light of rising cases and a potential second wave of the coronavirus. Some stores are already seeing items like toilet paper and disinfectant wipes flying off shelves.

“We absolutely are starting to see shortages again,” Mike Brackett, founder and CEO of Centricity Incorporated, told “Good Morning America.” But grocery stores are now taking preemptive action to prevent panicked hoarding and help ensure that store shelves remain stocked with high-demand items.

If you want to stock up on supplies, be aware that these grocery stores have placed limits on how much you can buy.

Kroger

Kroger is limiting purchases of toilet paper, paper towels, disinfecting wipes and hand soap to two per customer, “Good Morning America” reported.

H-E-B

H-E-B is limiting purchases of disinfecting and antibacterial sprays, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol and rubbing alcohol swabs, first aid and cleaning gloves, and trial- and travel-size disinfectant wipes and sprays to two per customer; and standard-size disinfecting and antibacterial wipes to four per customer. Interestingly, there is also a limit of two briskets per customer.

Publix

Publix has placed customer purchase limits on paper towels and toilet paper, Fox Business reported.

Harris Teeter

Harris Teeter has placed customer limits on certain cleaning supplies, Fox Business reported.

More Limits Could Be Coming

These limits might just be the tip of the iceberg — if supply chains can’t keep up with demand, there may be more coming.

“We’ll continue to monitor the situation, and if we see a need, we may re-introduce limits to other items,” a Harris Teeter spokesperson told Fox Business.

Still, experts are advising against panic buying, and instead, recommend stocking up on a reasonable amount of nonperishables and frozen items.

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About the Author

Gabrielle Olya

Gabrielle joined GOBankingRates in 2017 and brings with her a decade of experience in the journalism industry. Before joining the team, she was a staff writer-reporter for People Magazine and People.com. Her work has also appeared on E! Online, Us Weekly, Patch, Sweety High and Discover Los Angeles, and she has been featured on “Good Morning America” as a celebrity news expert. 

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