State officials and retailers don’t want to see a repeat of panic buying in Michigan

LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – State officials and retailers in Michigan are urging everyone to pause any panic buying.

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Gary McDowell said Friday that Michigan has an ample supply of food products and other items. But when shoppers panic buy products like toilet paper, paper towels, and other items, it creates a ripple effect within the supply chain.

McDowell was responding to reports that consumers may be buying larger quantities than necessary at stores across the state.

Signaling evidence of consumers starting to panic shop at levels first seen during the early months of the pandemic, Michigan Retailers Association President and CEO William Hallan urged consumers to limit purchases to a week’s worth of supply.