Long lines, empty shelves, uncertainty — a familiar site at South Carolina grocery stores whenever a major hurricane bears down on the coast.
In a year dominated by the upheaval of the coronavirus pandemic, one that also saw long-term shortages of critical items like toilet paper, hand sanitizer and cleaning products, will a major storm threaten supply chains?
The short answer: No.
Retail industry experts agree that while a hurricane can cause some short-term challenges, the Palmetto State is well versed in how to deal with them.
“To a certain extent, the pandemic shutdown can be compared to a much longer and intense hurricane,” said Joey Von Nessen, a research economist at the University of South Carolina. “But the analogy starts to break down because there are some differences.”
The biggest of those differences is, during a hurricane or other natural disaster, there’s typically an end date, Von Nessen said.
Retail stores have a tried and true playbook they use to prepare for hurricane season, he said. They know how to prepare for the intense surge in demand for water, bread, milk, canned goods and other supplies shoppers typically make a run for during the lead up to a major storm.
“Being in the Charleston area, they know there’s a chance that’ll happen in any given year,” Von Nessen said.
In what has already been an active hurricane season, the Charleston area already saw a close brush with Tropical Storm Isaias, which passed off the coast bringing wind and rain but little other impact.
The storm, instead, brought its fury to the North Carolina-South Carolina border, where storm surge, rain and wind caused flooding, fires and some property damage.
As the season continues into fall, representatives from major South Carolina retailers say they’re ready for whatever may come.
Dana Robinson, a spokeswoman for Harris Teeter, said the grocery chain has worked quickly to mobilize resources and increase deliveries of items most in demand ahead of potential storms.
Dining and Cooking