Shopping Anyone else notice this?

**imagine** · 06-23-2008, 08:55 AM

Somethings I have noticed while shopping (grocery mainly) and I wondered if anyone else noticed them them too.

Not only are the stores out of things more often but they have also stopped carrying certain things/brands. There is less choice at the store.

I go to buy something and it is not there anymore, no shelf space for it even. So if it is something we really need ,like the certain size filter or the kids favorite hot cereal. I have to go searching at other stores. This keeps happening more and more.

One store had a sign that it would no longer be carrying X brand of dairy products because of changing delivery routes. I guess we are just not in their delivery area anymore.

Anyone else notice/experience this?

**Homekeepn** · 06-23-2008, 09:07 AM

Yes, but I thought it was because I was shopping after peak times (Saturday night). I do not usually shop at that time,so I thought things were low because of that. I will keep a watch on it though.

**Michelle** · 06-23-2008, 09:11 AM

Yes--though I wasn't sure if it was just my store because they're often out of things (Hannaford)

**Grayce** · 06-23-2008, 10:23 AM

I had noticed that at a certain store I always assumed it was because it was busy and they had not had time to refill the shelves.

**Jayne** · 06-23-2008, 10:39 AM

Yes, I have noticed this too....I wonder why??

**Momto2Boyz** · 06-23-2008, 11:04 AM

I've noticed this too. I'm friendly with some of the employees at my favorite locally owned store (make friends with the butcher and produce manager

Best frugal move you'll ever make!) and they said, they are not stocking as much because they were losing money on the waste. Especially with items with shorter shelf lives, dairy, produce etc. They were discounting them so much they were losing money on them, then had to pitch whatever didn't sell. So they just aren't shocking the shelves with as much stuff.

**pkellyc** · 06-23-2008, 12:52 PM

I have. Our favorite BBQ sauce has just vanished off the shelves.

**bridge** · 06-23-2008, 01:26 PM

I have too, I had heard from a friend that works at a walmart. That the delivery schedules have changed due to fuel prices and that this might be the reason some things are out of stock more often. I have found that if I want to get some of my items at walmart I need to go before the weekend. So I have planned my shopping for Thursdays now. ( I think in my area many people shop Friday night & Sat morning)

**imagine** · 06-23-2008, 02:00 PM

It isn't the temporally out of stock that bothers me so much.
I can always go shopping on a different day to get the item I need.

It is the no longer will haves that are bothering me. Most of the time they don't even mention that they don't carry them anymore. They are just gone something and what was next to it has taken over its spot. (I'm so glad We don't have to deal with food allergies anymore that made it so very hard to pick up another brand)

Sigh I know it is all part of the changes everyone (people, stores, suppliers) are having to make.

It just feels like I'll have to change my shopping habits from list making/menu planning back to the old (early half of 20 century) way of seeing what the store has first.

Flexibility is going to be key I think.

**Starlight9803** · 06-23-2008, 02:02 PM

I've noticed this also. It's been happening for awhile at my local stores (several years) but it is becoming more frequent. I get so annoyed when I find a product that I just love, and then suddenly it disappears off the shelves never to be seen again. I so miss my rice crackers....

**favesis37** · 06-23-2008, 02:45 PM

i also have noticed, alot of the shelves are empty, or they jsut don't carry it anymore.

**many houseapes** · 06-23-2008, 07:41 PM

I had noticed this too when the store quit selling the cheapest canned vegetables - I called & talked to the store manager & he told me that they would no longer be selling that brand,but if I liked it so much, they had a bunch left in the warehouse that he would sell to me cheap. So, I had him place me an order & I received 17 cases(24 to a case) of canned veggies for 81.60. I was lucky - I bought the last that they had.
If you ever notice that your favorite brand is missing - call the store manager & ask questions - perhaps they still might have some left in their warehouse that they'll sell at a discount if they are going to discontinue selling that particular brand.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 06-23-2008, 07:50 PM

Wow...I thought I was just catching stores at bad times... I've been hitting this wall for several weeks now.

It didn't occur to me that things would change in that manner. But, I guess that does make sense...gotta cut things somehow with the major rise in costs of nearly everything.

My favorite face wash isn't on the shelves any more... The cereal that we've been getting (best deal) is constantly out of stock, now. Guess it's just the times... I know we'll all pull through...

**dcompton** · 06-23-2008, 09:20 PM

The thing that has astounded me is that several times lately I've found the stores are low on beans, completely out of some types. I've never known stores not to have beans! It may be that cheap staples like that are selling more because of the economic distress of so many, and that others are taking stockpiling to heart. It could also be the delivery issue too.

**StaceyS** · 06-24-2008, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by dcompton

The thing that has astounded me is that several times lately I've found the stores are low on beans, completely out of some types. I've never known stores not to have beans! It may be that cheap staples like that are selling more because of the economic distress of so many, and that others are taking stockpiling to heart. It could also be the delivery issue too.

Me too! I've always bought beans, and I have been shocked to see them low or out!