It appears the days of stockpiling the Charmin have come to an end. While the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the strange phenomenon of hoarding toilet paper, sales of the bathroom essential have now dropped significantly.
Toilet paper sales have decreased nearly 33% for the 12 weeks ending April 3 compared to the same time last year, according to data from NielsenIQ, reported CNN.
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Similarly, people are buying fewer paper towels and disinfectant wipes than last year. Sales of paper towels have dropped by more than 18%, while purchases of wet wipes are down by nearly 16%, the outlet noted.
After the demand for the household items skyrocketed during the early days of the novel virus, many companies increased production. But now manufacturers are once again altering their output.
According to the Wall Street Journal, paper mills are no longer operating at 100% and have scaled back to normal levels, between 90% and 95% capacity.
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Last month, there were reports that another toilet paper shortage could be on the horizon because of a massive cargo ship getting stuck in the Suez Canal.
Ever Given, the gigantic ship owned by Evergreen Marine Corp., was stuck in the important shipping channel for several days and kept hundreds of other vessels in a holding pattern behind it.
The traffic jam threatened billions of dollars in shipments of goods throughout the world.
After nearly a week, Ever Given was finally freed and shipments were able to continue on to their final destination.
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