Fear of protracted labour dispute leads to hoarding of toilet paper
|
|
|
The prospect of a protracted labour dispute in the paper industry has led some consumers to stock up on toilet paper and other goods that may be in short supply in the coming weeks.
"I heard that the paper might run out in a month", said Leena-Kaarina Kaunonen as she packed a shopping cart with packages of toilet paper and paper towels at the Prisma supermarket in the Helsinki suburb of Kannelmäki.
Kaunonen and Edward Brown loaded two carts with various types of soft paper for their family of four.
"Because of the labour dispute, we bought a full load", Kaunonen says.
"This is a pretty unusual situation", Brown laughs. He also ponders how hospitals will cope if a real shortage arises.
Many other shoppers were also loading up on household paper goods.
"I read that paper may run out, so I thought that I had better stock up a bit", said Eero Vesanen.
A sign on the shelf of the shop display tells shoppers that certain types of products might run out because of the labour dispute.
Sales personnel at Prisma were busy keeping the shelves stocked. On Thursday afternoon the selection was still extensive, although demand is high especially for the cheaper brands.
Store manager Eino Pieskä said that the store’s wholesaler has run out of some types of toilet paper, as well as one brand of filter paper.
Johanna Kankkunen, head of communications at the soft tissue paper manufacturer Metsä Tissue, said that shortages should not emerge very soon, as households generally have supplies that last between two and three weeks.
However, if the stoppage lasts much longer, product selections will be affected.
Risto Pyykkönen, CEO of Inex Partners, which supplies merchandise to a number of Finnish retail chains, says that some brands have already run out.
He adds that hoarding is unnecessary, because if Finnish-made goods run out, they will be replaced by imports.
Helsingin Sanomat
|
| 20.5.2005 - TODAY |
 Fear of protracted labour dispute leads to hoarding of toilet paper
|
|
