Big Chains Report Scant Evidence of Hoarding

Although some Y2K-fearing Americans may be buying up baby formula, electric generators and sleeping bags, many merchants report little evidence of widespread hoarding as 2000 draws near.

“We have not seen our customers hit the panic button,” said Don Harrison, spokesman for Home Depot, the Atlanta-based home improvement chain. Major retail chains, including Wal-Mart Stores and Dayton Hudson’s Target, where many people would be likely to go to buy such supplies--have not seen any unusual uptick in business this week. Store shelves are far from empty.

“The only thing that’s going to happen is that people are going to be depressed when they find out nothing happened,” predicted shopper Charlie Bogle as he stocked up on New Year’s party items at a Safeway supermarket in Oakland.

Still, some retailers report sales trends that could indicate that there are people who are worried. Sales of baby formula at Northeastern supermarket chain Pathmark are 40% higher than usual. Rylee’s Ace Hardware in Grand Rapids, Mich., has sold out of kerosene heaters, and the staff is continually refilling customers’ kerosene tanks.

“I’ve definitely seen a run on generators over the past month,” said John Brogan, assistant manager of a Home Depot in Denver, which has a storefront display that includes those as well as propane heaters, flashlights and batteries.