Perhaps your experience is a one-time thing, but here lately I’ve noticed that my Walmart runs completely out of items on a shelf before they will restock. I’m talking about common, everyday buys like cases of soda, bread, etc, during non-emergency events. (Here in the South, it’s expected that bread and milk empty out due to winter weather forecasts, LOL.) I’m talking about anything you might want from groceries to household supplies to toys and sporting gear. I’ve learned to keep a running list of resupplies to begin shopping when there’s still some in the house.
Formerly, I only did this with dogfood, in case of recalls. That is, buying way ahead of need, stocking up against unavailability. Now it’s for everything. I was flabbergasted the day I found their shelves - huge selection, usually - empty of Walmart brand whole wheat sliced bread. I end up buying 2 new loaves soon as I open the last one.
Just in time inventories do not work so well in abnormal times. these are abnormal times.
Yes, the Walmart here regularly runs out of everyday items as well. The empty shelf space will usually last for weeks or months at a time. I always figured it was because of proximity to the Mexican border and the management wanted all the illegals to feel right at home. Now I have to rethink that theory.