Pictures of empty supermarket shelves have dominated social media worldwide as the COVID-19 outbreak spurs panic buying. Taiwan is no stranger to runs on the stores, but companies here say that despite the outbreak, they have enough everyday supplies in stock to meet demand.
It’s early morning at a big box retailer in Taiwan, and the aisles are already jam-packed. Families are clamoring to stock up on much- needed supplies. Toilet paper and paper towels have flown off the shelves. As the COVID-19 outbreak continues, scenes like these are far from unusual in Taiwan.
At a nearby supermarket, you’d be hard pressed to find any non-perishable food items.
Employees at these stores and many others like them are scrambling to keep shelves stocked amid a surge in demand. Even online shoppers trying to beat the crowds may find themselves out of luck, as the number of goods available online dwindles too.
However, businesses are assuring the public that they have enough everyday supplies in stock to meet Taiwan’s needs. For instance, the Taiwan Paper Industry Association says that its store of raw materials will ensure that production can continue for the next two months. That means toilet paper and paper towels for all.
Despite the panic, store shelves in Taiwan won’t stay empty for long. Now it’s just a matter of convincing shoppers to keep their cool.