Face masks, hand sanitizer and toilet paper: Coronavirus panic shopping hits American stores
CNNNew York CNN Business — Americans across the country are stocking up on hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes, toilet paper and other products to prepare for the spread of coronavirus. “It does feel like there is a little bit of panic buying going on,” said Doug Baker, vice president of industry relations at trade group Food Marketing Institute. “We would expect to see a noticeable benefit to from accelerated traffic and basket growth as shoppers stock up on food and other essentials,” Cowen analyst Oliver Chen said in a note to clients Tuesday. The company is working closely with suppliers to “help meet the needs of customers.” Dennis Curtin, spokesperson for Weis Markets, a grocer with 200 stores in the northeast, said that Weis was increasing its focus on securing private-branded hand sanitizer in stores because national manufacturers were running low. “We are working to keep our shelves packed with products similar to when a blizzard is being called for and folks know they might be stuck at home,” said Andrea Karns, vice president of sales and marketing at Karns Foods, a family-owed chain of nine stores in Pennsylvania.