Each morning, mixed in with all the other newsletters and emails I get, I also glance through one that covers news and trends for grocery stores across the U.S. Lately, that roundup has included warnings that shoppers are starting to bulk up their home supplies, what Walmart CEO Doug McMillon called "stock-up behavior."
That demand to fill shelves at home is being exacerbated by the coming holidays, with consumers anxious to stock up on spices. The problem for spice companies, according to this story from The Washington Post, is a familiar one first seen in the spring: a packaging shortage.
Chip Overstreet, CEO of Spiceology in Spokane, Wash., said spices have been relatively easy to source, but glass and plastic containers are in short supply.
"Jugs, shakers, bags, plastic tubs — the lead times are stretching from two to three months and now into the new year. We're having to bring in plastics where molds don't fit the specs," agreed McKinley Thomason, owner of Doug Jeffords spice company in Mount Pleasant, Tenn.
The story didn't have comments from any packaging companies, but PN has written often about how those suppliers are operating near full capacity to supply containers for food, cleaning supplies and medical equipment. It sounds like the demand for their work isn't going to slow down anytime soon.
