Once you have read the Case Study above and conducted your own research, please submit a 2–3 page paper (not including a title and reference page) using headings for each section to answer the following questions:
1.) What role does Upper Carr Supermarket’s supply chain risk management approach play in their capacity to react to the lack of toilet paper?
2.) What risks did Upper Carr Supermarket confront in its supply chain for toilet paper, and what steps did it take to reduce those risks?
3.) What effect did this have on Upper Carr Supermarket’s supply chain, and how successful were their efforts to lower the demand for toilet paper during the shortage?
4.) What financial effects did Upper Carr Supermarket face due to the toilet paper scarcity, and how did they handle them?
5.) How should Upper Carr Supermarket’s experience with the toilet paper shortage be used to address future supply chain disruptions?
6.) What lessons can be drawn from this event?
Early in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic globally prompted panic buying, which ended up resulting in shortages of a variety of products, including toilet paper. The supply chain of a big retailer, Upper Carr Supermarket Inc., suffered a severe disruption when their primary toilet paper supplier, a Chinese company, was unable to fulfill their orders because of manufacturing interruptions and shipping challenges. To deal with a shortage of toilet paper, Upper Carr Supermarket, Inc. investigated alternatives and was able to find a new supplier in the US. However, because there was a limited supply and significant demand, this new provider demanded a higher price. In addition, Upper Carr Supermarket, Inc. limited the quantity of toilet paper rolls consumers may buy at a time and encouraged the use of bidets and other alternatives to lower the demand for toilet paper. Additionally, they communicated with their clients more often, keeping them updated on the supply chain interruptions and their ongoing attempts to resolve the problem. The lack of toilet paper persisted for several months despite these efforts, which made consumers angry and anxious and damaged Upper Carr Supermarket’s reputation.