I've been avoiding the news for more than a week now, and plan to continue until after Tuesday at least, perhaps longer, although I will look at election results. What I see posted here recently probably explains my experiences today.
1) I did a small Instacart order from Sprouts because Sprouts doesn't jack up their prices for Instacart -- you get in store prices and sales with the exception of Friday - Sunday 72 hour sales. The shopper went soon after opening and sent me a photo of the milk case half empty. This was a produce + milk run, and the only thing she couldn't find besides my preferred milk (and back up choice) was kabocha squash. Last Monday morning my preferred milk was also out -- that shopper sent a photo and the rest of the case was full. I'm thinking Organic Valley Whole Grassmilk might not be restocked by Monday mornings.
2) I went to Costco, because they do jack up prices like crazy on Instacart. I arrived a few minutes after opening to a parking lot full like a Saturday in December. I parked where I usually do, second row from the back so I can pull through and avoid backing out when I leave (too many Costco near misses). Walking to the doors, I realized there was a line to get in, something I haven't seen since June. I'd already spent the gas to get there, so I stuck it out. Line moved well, only stopping once, otherwise just moving slow and steady. Inside was packed, but I didn't see anyone without a mask, and people were mostly trying to be polite in the aisles. I loaded my cart with all barcodes visible so I could check out quickly. The lines were long, but I'm sure they got longer since I checked out at 10:38 and most of the people around me didn't have really full carts. Walking to my car there was a line of cars waiting to turn into the parking lot, and cars were circling and waiting even for the back row parking spots.
So, for the price jacking -- I decided to compare my receipt with what it would have been with Instacart. My total was 230.10 before tax. If I had used Instacart, my total before service fee and tip would have been $283.27 before tax -- that's $53.27 in markups (23%)! With the 1.9% service fee and a 10% tip, it would have been $320.22 -- a difference of $86.99 compared to going by myself. The trip took me 67 minutes, which included the drive to and from, parking, walking to the line (far from where I parked), waiting in the line, 35 minutes in the store, walking back to my car, loading my groceries, and driving home. I bought meat (chuck roast, lamb, chicken, and bacon), eggs, lots of vegetables, coffee, mayo, almonds, and dog food (dog food was only item taxed). In the cold room for eggs I heard someone ask an employee if he knew when they would be receiving TP, so they must have been out, which I haven't encountered at all since we started shopping again in June. This trip I was in a rush, so I didn't go looking to see what else they were out of.
From reports on this thread last week or so, I decided to use some freezer meat and buy some fresh. I'd hate to empty the freezer of meat by late December only to find shortages.
(As a reminder, I'm shopping for 4 adults, 2 of whom are active young men who are always hungry.)