Desperate run for toilet paper sparks Taiwan panic
27 Feb 2018 11:01 PM IST
TAIPEI, (Taiwan): Taiwan's premier called for calm Tuesday following a desperate run on toilet paper on the island, sparked by speculation of imminent price hikes.
Shelves usually stacked with toilet paper, kitchen paper and boxed tissues stood empty in many hypermarkets and supermarkets as residents stockpiled supplies. Major online retailers had also run out, including PChome which reportedly sold five million packs of toilet paper in three days. "We ask the public not to panic and not to rush to buy," Premier William Lai said.
"The supply is sufficient and everybody will have toilet papers to buy," he said.
The panic buying started after major hypermarkets were informed by toilet paper manufacturers of a 10 to 30 percent price hike from mid-March due to rising international pulp prices. The Fair Trade Commission said it had looked into the matter and met with representatives from three major toilet paper suppliers and five top retailers to warn them against price-fixing on Tuesday.
Next Story
