There is no need to agonize over getting enough toilet paper, rice and Spam -- for now. Hawaii retailers assure
Lockout expected to delay isle cargo
customers of ample stock
By Leila Fujimori
lfujimori@starbulletin.comLocal retailers say they are prepared to ride out the weekend lockout of union longshoremen at all West Coast ports by the association for shipping lines.
"We are prepared for business and we are well stocked," said a Costco manager at the Hawaii Kai store.
The Pacific Maritime Association, which represents the shipping lines, called for the lockout after accusing dockworkers of a work slowdown to gain leverage in contract negotiations. The lockdown began yesterday and is scheduled to run until 8 a.m. tomorrow.
"We have increased our inventory in anticipation of this situation," said Sheryl Toda, spokeswoman for Foodland Super Market Ltd.
The supermarket chain has had a steady increase in sales of bathroom tissue, rice and canned meats in the last three weeks, she said.
"We don't want our customers to panic and hoard items," Toda said. "Our suppliers have safety stock built in excess of several weeks. We are confident we have an ample supply to meet the needs of customers."
Kepa Heller, operations manager of Sam's Club, said, "It's going to delay our shipments, but if it doesn't go further than Sunday, I don't think it'll pose too much of a problem."
The warehouse store has seen a slowdown in the delivery of goods.
"We have been getting our containers late because of delays on the dock," he said. "It's affected our inventory."
However, Heller said the store has a backup of necessities.
The threat of a work slowdown a couple of weeks ago created a slight increase in foot traffic, Heller said, but nothing like the panic buying of last year's threatened dockworkers strike.
"There's no concern for panic buying," Heller said. "We're not going to see the effects (of the lockdown)."
Pacific Maritime Association
International Longshore and Warehouse Union
