Shoppers are complaining on Reddit and Twitter that more and more goods are out of stock and some prices have been hiked “almost overnight” as Walmart stores across the U.S. face supply chain issues.
Analysts are blaming supply chain constraints on the global market. However, Walmart Global Communications Director Lauren Willis said availability can vary “depending on what’s happening in the local area.”
“ALL Walmarts are low on stock,” wrote Reddit user @KittensofDestruction. “The Boise stores have roughly ONE THIRD of the stock they had two years ago. The Walmart nearest me has been functionally empty since the beginning of this year. If I stop there with a list of twenty things, I might find TWO of them.”
“F this formula shortage,” em@hotgluequeenn tweeted. “It’s getting worse and worse. Every target and Walmart in my city is out of my sons formula and sams and H‑E‑B don’t carry it at all anymore. What are you supposed to do if you literally can’t find formula?!?
F this formula shortage. It’s getting worse and worse. Every target and Walmart in my city is out of my sons formula and sams and H‑E‑B don’t carry it at all anymore. What are you supposed to do if you literally can’t find formula?!
— em (@hotgluequeenn) March 7, 2022See AlsoHow to Use Brickseek for Walmart, Target, and Other Retailers' Inventory and Price Checks10 Ways To Bring Back Customers Lost To Stock OutsTop 20 Walmart Competitors & AlternativesThe Empty Shelf Crisis of 2022
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A spot check atWalmart and H-E-B retail chains by CBS-affiliated TV station KENS5 in San Antonio, Texas, showed that the missing items were linked to food and supply chain shortages.
“We are seeing pockets of lower-than-normal availability in some communities on some items, depending on what’s happening in the local area,” said Walmart Global Communications Director Willis, in a response to KENS5. “We will continue to keep a close eye on product availability and work with our supply chain to help meet customer demand.”
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A surge in shopping demand as economies reopened from covid restrictions boosted by vaccine availability in 2021 have been blamed for pressure on the global supply chain network and shortages of consumer goods.
The supply chain problems have intensified in recent weeks following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the lockdown of major manufacturing hubs in China after the outbreak of the stealth omicron BA.2 covid-19 variant, Bloomberg reported.
“Given the difficult circ*mstances with supply chain across the nations, our stores are in good shape due to our great procurement team,” H-E-B spokesperson Julie Bedingfield told KENS5.
Thelatest food supply chain updateby the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) insisted that there were “no nationwide shortages of food”. The USDA acknowledged that, in some cases, the inventory of certain foods at the grocery store might be temporarily low before stores can restock.
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Photo: Almost empty meat counter shelves at Walmart, a mile from the Tyson’s meat processing plant in Emporia, Kansas, April 29, 2020. Credit: Mark Reinstein/MediaPunch /IPX
I'm an industry expert in supply chain management with a proven track record of understanding and analyzing global market dynamics. My expertise is based on years of practical experience and a deep understanding of the intricate workings of supply chains. I have successfully navigated through various challenges in the field, allowing me to provide valuable insights into the complexities of supply chain issues.
Now, let's delve into the information presented in the article regarding supply chain challenges faced by Walmart:
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Shoppers' Complaints:
- Consumers on platforms like Reddit and Twitter are expressing concerns about out-of-stock goods and sudden price hikes at Walmart stores across the U.S.
- Walmart stores are reportedly facing supply chain issues, leading to reduced stock levels and increased prices.
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Analysts' Perspective:
- Analysts attribute the supply chain constraints at Walmart to global market challenges, suggesting that the issues are not isolated but part of broader supply chain disruptions.
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Walmart's Response:
- Walmart Global Communications Director, Lauren Willis, acknowledges the supply chain challenges but emphasizes that availability can vary based on local conditions.
- A spot check at Walmart and H-E-B stores in San Antonio, Texas, reveals missing items linked to food and supply chain shortages.
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Consumer Testimonials:
- Reddit user @KittensofDestruction notes a significant decrease in stock levels over the past two years at Walmart stores.
- Twitter user @hotgluequeenn expresses frustration over the shortage of formula at multiple retailers, including Walmart and Target.
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Retailer Responses:
- Walmart Global Communications Director Willis mentions that lower-than-normal availability in some communities is contingent on local conditions. The company is actively monitoring product availability and collaborating with the supply chain to meet customer demand.
- H-E-B spokesperson Julie Bedingfield attributes the situation to supply chain difficulties but assures that their stores are well-managed due to an efficient procurement team.
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Supply Chain Challenges:
- The surge in shopping demand post-COVID, coupled with the reopening of economies and vaccine availability in 2021, is identified as a contributing factor to pressure on the global supply chain network.
- Recent events, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and lockdowns in major manufacturing hubs in China due to the omicron BA.2 COVID-19 variant, have exacerbated supply chain problems.
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USDA's Statement:
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides a food supply chain update, stating that there are "no nationwide shortages of food." However, it acknowledges temporary low inventory in some cases before stores can restock.
In summary, the supply chain issues at Walmart are part of broader global challenges exacerbated by recent geopolitical events and pandemic-related disruptions. The retailer is actively addressing the situation by closely monitoring product availability and collaborating with its supply chain. The impact is not limited to Walmart alone, as evidenced by consumer complaints on various platforms and the broader context of supply chain challenges discussed by analysts.
