Paper towels, bath tissue in short supply at some LI stores as dockworkers strike is suspended
Some shoppers, like Barbara Jamison, of Commack, were confused when they saw empty shelves at Target in Commack.
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Shoppers across Long Island say they're seeing some shortages in grocery stores of toilet paper and paper towels Thursday as so-called “panic buying” spreads.
Some shoppers, like Barbara Jamison, of Commack, were confused when they saw empty shelves at Target in Commack.
"I hadn't had any idea that this was going on," she said.
Economists say the now suspended dockworkers strike has put many consumers on edge.
Saketa Mack, of Dix Hills, says she couldn’t get the paper towels she needed at Target.
"I noticed the aisle was virtually empty. Probably had like a four-pack left, even the toilet paper,” she said. “It was all gone."
Eric Kunis, of North Babylon, says it's a similar sight at the Walmart in Commack too.
"Shelves were empty on paper towels, for toilet paper,” he said. "The shelves were bare, a little bare in that section."
A sign at the Shoprite in Commack told customers toilet paper and paper towels are not impacted by the port strike and to expect more deliveries of them, but shelves were still pretty bare.
Hofstra University Adjunct Associate Economics Professor Martin Melkonian recommends against panic buying goods right now.
"Close down your social vehicles, your social media for a little while, take a few deep breaths,” he said. Things will be OK."
Shoppers say don’t be picky when heading out to the store.
"Take a look at the paper goods aisle and you're going to have to buy whatever you can find,” Jamison.
News 12 reached out to Target to find out if it will limit purchases on certain goods.
Walmart responded to News 12 saying, “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.”
News 12 asked for more specific information from Walmart about what's happening on the island, but Walmart has not yet responded.
