Local 12: Shoppers encounter shortages at stores

UC associate dean Chuck Sox expects improvement this year

Shoppers are encountering shortages of certain items at grocery stores, Local 12 reported.

While it's not as severe as at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, shoppers have reported trouble finding items including medicine, chicken, produce, sports drinks, cream cheese and cat food.

“What we’re seeing here are just random shortages of unique items because somewhere in the supply chain, there’s been a break. There’s been a disruption,” said Chuck Sox, the associate dean of impact and partnerships for the University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business.

There's enough food in the supply chain, but shipping delays and a shortage of workers have contributed to problems in keeping items stocked.

Sox, a supply chain expert, expects things to improve as the year progresses.

“I think later in the spring or summer, we will see things settle down,” he said. “Hopefully by next fall, when we have the next holiday rush for shipments and goods, hopefully things will be stable by that point.”

See more from Local 12.

Featured image: UC  supply chain expert Chuck Sox. Screenshot courtesy of Local 12 video.

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