Small retailers stock up to avoid stock-outs in stores

Independent retailers like Megan Searfoss are buying way more inventory than they normally would to safeguard their businesses against future supply chain shortages. Ms. Searfoos, who owns two running stores in Connecticut, bought 4,100 pairs of sneakers in November rather than her normal 3,000. “Usually, we get through the New York City Marathon and then we stop buying shoes — we sell off what we have and go into January super, super lean. But we’re being told not to do that because there’s just not going to be any shoes,” she said.