Walmart releases statement on increased demand for paper towels, toilet paper

(Gray News) – Walmart is responding to its shortages of paper products on shelves after customers began panic-buying items like toilet paper and paper towels.

In a statement to WAFF on Thursday, a spokesperson for Walmart said there has been “increased demand in some communities on items like bath tissue and paper towels – especially in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene.”

The spokesperson said they encourage people to buy “week-to-week rather than stocking up,” making it beneficial for everyone.

The full statement from Walmart reads:

“We prepare for disruptions in our supply chain and maintain additional sources of supply to ensure we have key products available for our customers when and how they want them. We are seeing pockets of increased demand in some communities on items like bath tissue and paper towels – especially in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. We’re keeping a close eye on product availability and are working with our supply chain to ensure customers can find all the items they need. Buying week-to-week rather than stocking up will be helpful to everyone!”

Customers began panic-buying paper products following the dockworkers’ strike on the East and Gulf coast ports.

However, experts told CNN the panic-buying is not warranted, as paper products will not be affected by the strike because almost all what Americans use comes from domestic factories.

Experts also say other goods such as clothes, toys, and holiday gifts would not be affected.

At risk of shortage were things like fruits and vegetables, a lot of which are imported.

But as of Friday, some 45,000 dockworkers at the ports returned to work after their union reached a deal to suspend the strike, which lasted only three days.

According to the Associated Press, the International Longshoremen’s Association is suspending its strike until Jan. 15 to allow time to negotiate a new contract.

The union and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies, said in a joint statement that they have reached a tentative agreement on increasing wages.

However, in addition to wages, the workers also took issue with the automation of ports, which they say will lead to fewer human jobs. There hasn’t been a resolution on that issue yet.

Industry analysts have said that for every day of a port strike, it takes four to six days to recover. But they said this short strike of just a few days probably won’t affect the supply chain too badly.

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