In light of growing public concern surrounding the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), consumers have increased their spending on hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes. As a result of high demand, stores like CVS Health
Note: Hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes aren't recommended by experts as primary methods to stay healthy during this time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to prevent infection is to wash your hands with soap and water.
Hand sanitizers
According to CVS, hand sanitizers such as Purell, which is manufactured by the privately-held GOJO Industries, have been of particular interest to consumers during this time. Another well-known hand sanitizer brand is Germ-X, which is produced by the private Vi-Jon Laboratories. A CVS spokesperson warned, "This demand may cause temporary shortages at some store locations and we re-supply those stores as quickly as possible."
Even stores like Bath & Body Works, owned by L Brands
Disinfectant wipes
In addition to hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes are high in demand right now. That includes products from companies like Clorox and British consumer goods company Reckitt Benckiser, which owns Clorox's major competitor Lysol. Neither Clorox nor Lysol intend to experience supply shortages during this time.
"We're continuing to make capacity investments to ensure that we don't run out at the peak for some of these products that we have that, frankly, consumers demand and we can't fulfill," said Reckitt Benckiser CEO Laxman Narasimhan.
As the market went down this week, Clorox
Online retail
When it comes to e-commerce, typically Amazon
Amazon has been taking measures to eliminate this kind of price gouging.
Walmart
- https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/02/28/business/hand-sanitizers-wipes-cvs-walgreens-coronavirus/index.html
- https://qz.com/1812216/what-hand-sanitizer-shortages-on-amazon-say-about-global-supply/
- https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/02/28/cvs-and-walgreens-warn-of-hand-sanitizer-shortage.aspx
- https://www.pws.io//fda-cracking-down-on-purell-amid-coronavirus-outbreak