SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Insalaco Markets, a division of The Penn Traffic Co. here, is alerting its shoppers about possible shortages of Procter & Gamble paper products.
At an Insalaco store in East Stroudsburg, Pa., a shelf tag in front of P&G's Bounty paper towels told shoppers to try Georgia Pacific's Sparkle paper towels and Angel Soft bath tissue because inventory on P&G's competitive items is low.
The purpose of the sign is to allow retailers like Penn Traffic's Insalaco, P&C Foods and Quality Markets to point out comparable product options to their customers, said Sue Hosey, a chain spokeswoman.
"We always try to help the customer find what's available," said Hosey. "The sign indicates we're aware that the supplies on the shelf may be shorter."
Insalaco is not giving preference to Georgia Pacific, Hosey added. "We're able to maintain stock on that item," she said.
Mark Leaf, spokesman for Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, said supplies of Bounty paper towel and Charmin bath tissue are on allocation. The amount of product a store receives is based on its P&G paper towel and bath tissue sales volume.
The restriction is a result of the basic laws of supply and demand. Leaf said that while P&G's production is running continuously, products like the bigger rolls of quilted Bounty towels and the larger-count packs of toilet paper are so popular with consumers that it's difficult to keep up with the demand.
P&G announced last month that supplies of Bounty towels and Charmin products are on allocation. Bounty products initially were on allocation in January, but were taken off a short time later.
The lack of available product spans the United States. Leaf said with the addition of one production line, which will be functioning by the end of 1996, and another under construction, the company plans to meet demand soon.
In the meantime, P&G is exploring options to build supplemental lines. "It could be a new plant or an addition to an existing one," Leaf said.
