Pennsylvania Zombie Response Team

OK... so NOBODY has Lysol - that's been the case since March.

But I was in Shop 'n' Save in Carrick on Saturday, and Mt. Lebanon this morning; and the two DARNEDEST things, were NOWHERE in sight!

- Cheeze Whiz (how the hell do you eat a cracker WITHOUT it?!)
- NON-alcoholic Listerine!

"Limit 3 on paper products" signs again, but anybody else found "weird" items out-of-stock in your AO?

Paper plates are in short supply here. There's plenty of toilet paper and paper towels, but the rolls have shrunken down.
I don't know about lysol, but I can put hands on a variety of spray disinfectants and sanitizing wipes.

I don't know about you guys but I've noticed that when I go to the store such as Family Dollar, Giant Eagle and most of the time Walmart.
Dog rawhide bones seem to be out of stock as well for some odd reason.

My wife does all the shopping so I usually never go to the grocery store, she is in the hospital and I thought I would pick up some salt to put into storage. Went to walmart and they had four bags of canning salt but no regular salt.; Dollar tree is in the same strip mall so I walked over there thinking they would have salt, they had a sign for salt but it was all gone. Is anyone else noticing salt being sold out?

GOOD catch!  I hadn't noticed that, but gotta hit up the local Giant Eagle on Friday - I'll see what they have!

Just caught this at Survivalblog tonight:

Quote:Tunnel Rabbit sent this confirmation of one supply chain breakdown:

“Recently, I’ve been doing some last-minute shopping, and found it difficult to source polypropylene pipe, and deep cycle batteries.  We have heard reports from other beginning a month or so ago.   I am confirming what appears to be an ongoing nationwide shortage of certain parts and supplies. In an attempt to gauge the severity, I dug deeper into the lead-acid battery supply.  A large number of suppliers of automotive and deep cycle batteries are unable to fill backorders at this time. Shelves are bare at busier stores.  Reports from others on the internet, and on the phone confirmed my suspicions, about short supplies of many other items. The shortages appear to be chronic, or temporary, should the supplier’s promises of future production hold true.  CostCo hopes their supplier will begin to fill their backorders of batteries in about 6 weeks.  Another, and a large battery specialty outlet, advised that should I find a deep cycle battery for sale anywhere, to buy it.  They see a nationwide shortage.

If there is any key and critical piece of equipment, or parts needed for your long-term self-sufficiency plan, if at all possible, do not wait. Get it now.  I may have purchased the last few deep cycle batteries in the ”Inter-Mountain West”, found in a backwater automotive part supplier near me. I needed a larger bank of fresh batteries to reduce the depth of discharge to only 10 percent of capacity. It is a proven method that can extend the serviceable life span of a lead-acid deep cycle battery bank to upwards of 7 years.  As security will be job one, we’ll need batteries to keep our radios, and other devices running for as many years as possible, as likely, there will be no resupply.”

Looks like I spoke to soon about the salt, it seems to be available at other stores, just remember that if salt has anti-caking agents then it will have a five year shelf life.

Have you LOOKED around a grocery store, lately? I went to our local Giant Eagle here in town on Friday, to buy some steaks - wife does most of the shopping, so I rarely go there. The damn place was practically barren (the shelves - PLENTY of shoppers were there LOOKING).

The time is surely coming... SHORTLY... when we'll be forced to go shopping WITH rifles...  stay frosty.


Beige Book Reveals Not Just Stagflation But Record Shortages Of Everything

Quote:by Tyler Durden

Wednesday, Sep 08, 2021 - 02:19 PM

In a notable reversal in the latest Fed Beige Book, the Sept 8 edition of the Fed's assessment of the economy found that after the economy "strengthened" from May to July in its last Beige Book, the Sept assessment found that "economic growth downshifted slightly to a moderate pace" (even though the characterization of the pace of job creation ranged from slight to strong) with much of the blame cast on the Delta variant, to wit: "the stronger sectors of the economy of late included manufacturing, transportation, non-financial services, and residential real estate. The deceleration in economic activity was largely attributable to a pullback in dining out, travel, and tourism in most Districts, reflecting safety concerns due to the rise of the Delta variant, and, in a few cases, international travel restrictions."

And whereas back in July the biggest concern was surging prices, two months later a new bogeyman has emerged, it is no longer soaring inflation (the Beige Book notes that "Inflation was reported to be steady at an elevated pace, as half of the Districts characterized the pace of price increases as strong, while half described it as moderate") that is the biggest risk - although one look at the Prices section below could prompt some doubt here - but rather the same one that citizens of Venezuela and every other socialist paradise on earth are familiar with: unprecedented: widespread shortages of everything.

Cause for the slowdown notwithstanding, the overall assessment was ugly - not only was there no sign of supply chain and price pressures easing, but evidence of full employment being well below pre-COVID. And between continued surging prices, a downshift in the economy and widespread labor shortages, the one word that summarizes best what is going on is: stagflation.

But before we get there, here are the Fed's comments on...

Overall Economic Activity:

• Economic growth downshifted slightly to a moderate pace in early July through August. The stronger sectors of the economy of late included manufacturing, transportation, nonfinancial services, and residential real estate. The deceleration in economic activity was largely attributable to a pullback in dining out, travel, and tourism in most Districts, reflecting safety concerns due to the rise of the Delta variant, and, in a few cases, international travel restrictions.
  
• The other sectors of the economy where growth slowed or activity declined were those constrained by supply disruptions and labor shortages, as opposed to softening demand. In particular, weakness in auto sales was widely ascribed to low inventories amidst the ongoing microchip shortage, and restrained home sales activity was attributed to low supply.
  
• Growth in non-auto retail sales slowed a bit in some Districts, rising at a modest pace, on balance, across the nation.
  
• Residential construction was up slightly, on balance, and nonresidential construction picked up modestly.
  
• Trends in loan volumes varied widely across Districts, ranging from down modestly to up strongly.
  
• Reports on the agriculture and energy sectors were mixed across Districts but, on balance, positive.
  
• Looking ahead, businesses in most Districts remained optimistic about near-term prospects, though there continued to be widespread concern about ongoing supply disruptions and resource shortages.
  

Employment and Wages:

• All Districts continued to report rising employment overall, though the characterization of the pace of job creation ranged from slight to strong.
  
• Demand for workers continued to strengthen, but all Districts noted extensive labor shortages that were constraining employment and, in many cases, impeding business activity.
  
• Contributing to these shortages were increased turnover, early retirements (especially in health care), childcare needs, challenges in negotiating job offers, and enhanced unemployment benefits.
  
• Some Districts noted that return-to-work schedules were pushed back due to the increase in the Delta variant.
  
• With persistent and extensive labor shortages, a number of Districts reported an acceleration in wages, and most characterized wage growth as strong—including all of the midwestern and western regions.
  
• Several Districts noted particularly brisk wage gains among lower-wage workers.
  
• Employers were reported to be using more frequent raises, bonuses, training, and flexible work arrangements to attract and retain workers.
  

Prices:

• Inflation was reported to be steady at an elevated pace, as half of the Districts characterized the pace of price increases as strong, while half described it as moderate.
  
• With pervasive resource shortages, input price pressures continued to be widespread.
  
• Most Districts noted substantial escalation in the cost of metals and metal-based products, freight and transportation services, and construction materials, with the notable exception of lumber whose cost has retreated from exceptionally high levels.
  
• Even at greatly increased prices, many businesses reported having trouble sourcing key inputs.
  
• Some Districts reported that businesses are finding it easier to pass along more cost increases through higher prices.
  
• Several Districts indicated that businesses anticipate significant hikes in their selling prices in the months ahead.
  

Here are the highlights by Regional Fed:

• Boston: Economic activity in the First District expanded at a modest to strong pace over the summer of 2021. Contacts reported higher prices and wages but complained more about an inability to get supplies and to hire workers. Contacts were optimistic and hoped supply issues would ease in 2022.
  
• New York: Growth in the regional economy moderated, though contacts remained optimistic about the near-term outlook. Employment and wages increased, with businesses reporting widespread labor shortages. Tourism leveled off, and service-sector businesses reported some deceleration in activity. Input price pressures remained widespread, and more businesses have raised or plan to raise their selling prices.
  
• Philadelphia: Business activity continued at a moderate pace of growth during the current Beige Book period – still below levels attained prior to the pandemic. The rise of Delta variant cases has trimmed growth in some sectors, while labor shortages and supply chain disruptions continued apace. Overall, wage growth increased to a moderate pace, while prices continued growing moderately and employment continued to grow modestly.
  
• Cleveland: Economic activity grew solidly, but supply constraints limited many firms' ability to meet demand. Staff levels increased modestly amid intense labor shortages. Reports of rising nonlabor costs, wages, and prices continued to be widespread. Firms expected demand would remain strong in the near term, but they were less optimistic that labor and supply challenges would abate enough to ease the upward pressure on wages and costs.
  
• Richmond: The regional economy expanded moderately, but many firms faced shortages and higher costs for both labor and non-labor inputs. Port and trucking volumes picked up from already high levels, but manufacturers and services firms experienced delays and long lead times for goods. Employment rose moderately as labor shortages and wage increases were widely reported. Price growth picked up and was robust compared to last year.
  
• Atlanta: Economic activity expanded moderately. Labor markets improved and wage pressures became more widespread. Some nonlabor costs rose. Retail sales increased. Leisure travel was strong and hotel occupancy levels rose. Residential real estate demand remained solid. Commercial real estate conditions were steady. Manufacturing activity expanded. Banking conditions were stable.
  
• Chicago: Economic activity increased moderately. Employment increased strongly, manufacturing grew moderately, business spending was up modestly, construction and real estate rose slightly, and consumer spending decreased slightly. Wages and prices increased strongly while financial conditions slightly improved. There was some retreat in prospects for agricultural income.
  
• St. Louis: Economic conditions have continued to improve at a moderate pace since our previous report. Across all industries, contacts are concerned about the Delta variant and its economic impact. Contacts continued to report that labor and material shortages. Overall inflation pressures remain elevated, but firms reported varying degrees of pass-through to customers.
  
• Minneapolis: The District economy saw moderate growth despite continued inventory shortages and higher prices. Employment grew strongly but hiring demand continued to outstrip labor response by a wide margin. Consumer demand remained strong, leveraging growth in services, tourism, and manufacturing. Drought took a growing toll on agriculture, though higher prices benefitted farmers. Minority and women-owned business enterprises saw moderate growth in activity.
  
• Kansas City: Economic activity continued to grow at a moderate pace through August. Demand remains elevated for most businesses, and a majority of contacts expect activity to remain elevated amid the recent surge in COVID cases. Wages grew at a robust pace, but labor shortages persist. As a result of widespread drought, pasture and range land in several states was in poor or very poor condition.
  
• Dallas: The District economy expanded at a solid rate, with broad-based growth across sectors. Employment growth was robust, with a pickup seen in the service sector. Wage and price growth remained elevated amid widespread labor and supply chain shortages. Outlooks stayed positive, though surging COVID-19 cases has added uncertainty to outlooks.
  
• San Francisco: Economic activity in the District expanded moderately. Hiring activity intensified further, as did upward pressures on wages and inflation. Retail sales increased modestly, while conditions in the services sector deteriorated somewhat. Activity in the manufacturing and agriculture sectors increased slightly. Residential construction edged down somewhat, while lending activity remained largely unchanged.
  

As for the primary driver behind the continued stagflation chaos in the US economy, it is the ongoing supply-chain shock which has led to total confusion in what until recently was a "just in time" economy, resulting in record Beige Book mentions of "shortages" which in September rose to 77, up from 61 in July and a new all time high.