Transport Minister Pete Buttigieg was hailed as the man who “saved Christmas” on Tuesday over his handling of the supply chain crisis as Americans around the country shared photos of empty grocery shelves on social media.
At a press conference in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Buttigieg said that while the supply chain crisis will continue throughout the pandemic, he celebrated the transportation of goods over Christmas.
“As long as the pandemic continues, as long as we make up for decades of previous disinvestment, we will see impacts on shipping times and shipping costs,” Buttigieg said. “When there’s an issue affecting ports here, you’ll feel it as far away as my hometown of Indiana.
“It’s not just about the gifts under the tree, it’s about essentials like medical wares that are needed in this moment of continuing public health challenge,” he added.
Buttigieg hailed the shipment of goods during the Christmas season as “an extraordinary achievement,” noting that the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach “handled 14 percent more containers compared to the treated in 2018 over the same time period, ”according to Bakken.
“One of the reasons Christmas was not actually canceled is that ports like LA and Long Beach moved record levels or merchandise, allowing a record high in terms of retail sales during its holiday season,” he said.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti further hailed Buttigieg as “the man who saved Christmas.”
Pictures around the country painted a much gloomier picture showing empty grocery shelves.
Orange juice department. #LetsGoBrandon! pic.twitter.com/Dn4essU4gf
– Mark Krikorian (@MarkSKrikorian) January 11, 2022
And dairy. pic.twitter.com/bSFN23JrKY
– Mark Krikorian (@MarkSKrikorian) January 11, 2022
The meat department in my local store. pic.twitter.com/SUURfDAXeV
– Mark Krikorian (@MarkSKrikorian) January 11, 2022
the shelves near my apartment. this is wild pic.twitter.com/pRaU2h5v3E
– Jordan Chamberlain (@jordylancaster) January 11, 2022
Realize that this is old news / new normal. But went to @asda in Brighton… 18.00. Fantastic shelves are still like this, even when taking into account the recent holidays. So what @ColdChainShane ??
Real questions. Is it the same in France or Germany ?? Anyone? # supply chain management #brexit pic.twitter.com/zrMaLf2w9m
– Peter Foster (@pmdfoster) January 4, 2022
Shoppers ‘amazed’ at thinner groceries: ‘It’s just empty shelves’ https://t.co/M2AhQqRadM
– Benny (@bennyjohnson) January 11, 2022
Is your grocery store empty? Reply with a picture.
Democrats’ policies are taking America backwards. pic.twitter.com/Ox31rkFpus
– Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) January 11, 2022
Pictures of bare shelves at grocery stores across the Las Vegas Valley this week thanks #BareShelvesBiden
After nearly a year in office, the only thing Joe Biden has delivered on are empty shelves and empty promises. pic.twitter.com/KZxm045Z6D
– Adam Paul Laxalt (@AdamLaxalt) January 11, 2022
Like CNBC noted, the supply chain crisis has seriously affected the best grocery chains, with Albertsons, Kroger and Walmart falling below stock value.
“Albertson’s shares fell 9.75% to $ 28.79 at the close of trading after the company detailed the supply chain’s challenges and increased costs it sees on its earnings,” CNBC said. “The dip in its stock took place as the merchant raised its 2021. forecast. Shares in Kroger fell about 3%, while Walmart fell less than 1%.”
