As panic buying takes hold across the United States, shoppers from Virginia to South Carolina have been rushing to stock up on essential items like toilet paper, water, and paper towels. The frenzy is fueled by the dockworkers’ strike that started earlier this week and the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
Unionized dockworkers from the International Longshoremen’s Association began a strike after their contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance expired, bringing port operations from Maine to Texas to a halt. Though the strike has since been halted after a tentative agreement was reached, the initial blockage of container shipments sparked widespread concern, leading consumers to panic-buy household staples.
Social media, particularly TikTok, has amplified the sense of urgency, with users sharing videos of empty store shelves and long lines. One TikTok user, @nicolewilliams559, posted footage of nearly depleted toilet paper stocks at a BJ’s Wholesale in Virginia, while others shared similar experiences across the country. The combination of the port strike and the ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, which devastated parts of the southeastern U.S., has only intensified fears of shortages.
In Myrtle Beach, Sam’s Club and Walmart locations were packed with customers by mid-morning Wednesday. According to employees at the local Sam’s Club, toilet paper, water, and paper towels had already run out by 9:30 a.m. A mixture of shoppers purchasing supplies for hurricane relief efforts and those panic-buying after hearing about the strike left the store busier than usual.
Trenace Patterson, a local shopper, expressed her frustration while standing in an empty aisle where toilet paper usually stacked high. “Do I want 30 rolls of paper towels? No, but I gotta buy it to have it,” she explained, worried that the strike could result in further shortages.
However, experts have reassured the public that products like toilet paper and water are not directly affected by the strike. According to the Department of Commerce, nearly 90% of toilet paper used in the U.S. is domestically produced, and most of it comes from Canada and Mexico via road or rail. The items likely to face delays are imported goods like bananas, alcohol, car parts, and electronics. At Sam’s Club in Myrtle Beach, while toilet paper and water were scarce, there were still plenty of bananas, beer, and wine available.
The National Grocers Association has urged consumers to remain calm, emphasizing that grocers and wholesalers are working to manage inventories and secure alternative supply options. Nonetheless, Bill Simon, former CEO of Walmart, cautioned that panic buying can create ripple effects, potentially leading to shortages of domestic products as well.
For now, shoppers are being encouraged to buy only what they need and leave items for others. But with the uncertainty surrounding the strike and ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene, grocery store shelves in certain areas remain bare, adding to the growing anxiety among consumers.
