Shipping delays due to ice storm leave store shelves sparse

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – One of the major impacts of the winter storm, with delivery trucks left stuck on highways and interstates: the cargo will be delayed.

Meaning that some of the shelves that have bene empty across the Mid-South could stay empty longer than usual.

Even days after the storm, snow and ice are still covering many streets, and that’s slowing everything down. Shoppers at a local grocery store told FOX13 some shelves are still bare.

“I think this is the first time I’ve actually been to Kroger since the storm hit,” said Will Clark of Memphis.

For many families, just getting back inside a grocery store has taken days.

“I’ve been holding up very well. Enjoying the weather,” said Zander Brooks of Memphis. “It’s cold, but I’m enjoying the weather.”

However, while some shoppers said conditions are improving, the storm’s impact is still being felt.

“We’ve been coming to the store just about every day, and they were out of just about everything yesterday, but they are now restocking,” said Joseph Hastings of Memphis.

For many, delays extend beyond the grocery aisle. Online orders, including Amazon packages, are still arriving late for some families.

“They’ll send out a notice to let you know that, you know, your items will be delivered a little bit later than usual,” Clark said. “No necessities that I need haven’t come in, but stuff has definitely been delayed.”

In a statement, a Kroger spokesperson confirmed that stores are open and restocking daily, but said deliveries remain tied to road conditions.

“All Kroger stores are currently operating. Store hours may vary due to concerns about the safety of our associates. Shelves are being restocked by Kroger and by our vendors. Some restocking is being slowed due to road conditions. Our delivery trucks use the same streets and interstates that have been treacherous. As roads improve, deliveries will increase.”

Amazon said similar safety concerns led to temporary changes earlier in the week.

“We have teams of meteorologists who work with us side by side all day long,” said Amazon spokesperson Richard Rocha. “As Fern approached, they were working with us to make sure that we were ready, our sites were ready.”

Customers have been encouraged to monitor their delivery status online. Amazon said keeping driveways and walkways clear can also help speed up deliveries.

“We want to make sure we get the customers their deliveries as soon as we can, but we’re not going to do that at the expense of safety,” Rocha said.

Stores have said restocking is happening daily, but certain items remain limited until road conditions improve.

In a statement to FOX13, the U.S. Postal Service said, in part: “We are currently delivering to Memphis residential and business addresses, as long as conditions allow us to do so safely. Local postal officials will continue to monitor conditions and make thoughtful decisions about the full resumption of service, with safety as the primary factor. We ask customers to please be patient if they are expecting packages or specific mailpieces.”