By: Heath Anderson
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – Supply chain issues are making it hard for consumers and distributors to buy and sell products.
The problem with a lack of goods being available usually means higher prices, and this can be seen from meat costs to the price of a gallon of milk.
Everyone has been affected, from nations halfway across the world, to students at the University of Arkansas.
Nick Ciggelakis is a law student who has seen the biggest change come at the grocery store.
“Buying a pound of beef, or milk and eggs cost more now than it did in the spring in summer.” Ciggelakis said.
He isn’t wrong.
In Oct. 2021, beef’s average price in America was $4.72. That’s up 70 cents from the same month in 2020. Milk and eggs have also increased in price, according to reports.
Ciggelakis represents many college students who are having to adapt to higher prices for everyday goods.
“I feel like I’ve had to be a lot more creative in stretching my dollars,” Ciggelakis said. “When I shop, I’ve ended up buying in bulk as well, or see if the grocery has slapped any manager’s discount on their meats. Those things help, but it’s not a guaranteed way of overcoming the supply chain headaches that come with day-to-day grocery shopping.”
Experts say a lot of these problems have to do with supply chain coupled with inflation.
The current annual inflation rate surged to 6.2% in Oct., marking the highest increase since Nov. 1990.
On the flip side, stores are having a hard time keeping products available.
Elizabeth Burger is a barista at Puritan Coffee & Beer.
She said the shop couldn’t acquire seltzer water, which is something needed for a place that primarily sells drinks.
“From what I understand, it’s because of Covid,” Burger said. “There might have been a weird thing between the United States and Mexico in getting things in.”
Trouble with importing and exporting goods has stretched across the globe, whether it be from COVID-19 related issues, or cargo ships getting backed up.
This supply chain issue affects bigger companies such as fast-food places as well.
Student and McDonald’s store Manager Arron Oliver said he’s noticed back-ups on things such as paper products.
“We’ve had a few products here or there throughout the weeks that have been short.” Oliver said.
Companies that don’t directly buy or sell a product are being impacted as well.
Field Agent is a Fayetteville business that utilizes shoppers’ smartphones to help consumers get a better idea of a product.
The company hires out users to try products at a variety of stores and have them use an app to review the things they buy.
Allie McMurry is an Agent Ambassador whose job is to help coordinate these users.
She has noticed her team having trouble completing their tasks because of a lack of products.
“I have noticed app-users are writing in products we ask them to provide insight on are out of stock,” McMurry said. “This is a fairly common issue in the everyday retail world, but I have definitely seen it happening more recently. I notice it being an issue when they have to make an online order too.”
Experts predict the supply chain shortage will continue for months to come.