The Retail Supply Chain Has Inverted – Formerly Efficient Operations Now Least Effective – Small Markets Best

The Conservative Treehouse ^ | 3-17-2020 | Sundance

[Texas Fossil]

CTH is spending time on this issue because the food distribution sector is the most important sector in all commerce. Having some familiarity with the supply chain might help people to understand the challenges; and possibly help you locate product.

The Inversion – Big chain markets; those who spent millions developing their own proprietary ‘just-in-time’ distribution networks and automated ordering systems; are currently the least equipped to deal with the level of demand.  Meanwhile smaller chains, or mom-and-pops, who rely on third-party brokered distribution are faster to respond.

Several factors have increased retail market demand for food products and non-perishables.  People stocking up, kids out of school, some panic shopping (example toilet paper) and now curfews/quarantines have people purchasing more for ‘meals prepared at home’.  Add in a level of closed restaurants and the demand on retail food markets is severely stressed.

In major urban areas the larger retailers are unable to keep up with demand.  This is creating an outward spread as people drive further and further distances to find their needs.  Those who travel a distance ultimately stock-up more; thus the outward spider web-cycle is created.  Based on ground reports Atlanta Georgia is a prime example.

Depending on the distance from the distribution center [SEE HERE] large regional chain outlets are now in a downward inventory spiral without escape.  That is: compared to their needs they are not getting near enough product.  So long as demand continues at a level beyond distribution capacity this will only get worse; especially for those stores more than 50 miles from their distribution hub.

Costco announced Wednesday that it will start to limit certain items members can purchase in response to the surge in business from the coronavirus, though specific items were not outlined.

[tbw2]

My first thought is Mouser Electronics in Texas. Another possibility is cablesonline.com, located in New York.

[tbw2]

Monastery Greetings is a good option. You can buy ale, religious icons, awesome baked goods and monk-made jellies - and the last order we had arrived in 5 days despite the mail slow down.

[Texas Fossil]

I have used Mouser Electronics before, I did not know about cablesonline.com

I will look at Mouser first. Because it is closer.

There were 2 styles that I have used, one had a ring of foam around the wires inside a vinyl jacket and another that had foam around the wire and between the wire inside a vinyl jacket. That means the dialectric properties were better with the foam between the wires too. Last time I used it, it was rated at .7 db loss/100 ft. up into the UHF range. No coax comes close to that. Not even Heliax.