Cops respond to mass panic at California Costco that ran out of toilet paper and bottled water – as the franchise reveals sales are up a 12.4% on last year as shoppers stock up amid coronavirus outbreak

• Deputies responded to a disturbance at Costco in Chino Hills, California on Thursday morning
• Customers became ‘upset’ after the store ran out of bottled water, according to sheriff’s office  
• Across the country, panicked shoppers have been stocking up water, toilet paper and canned goods
• Shelves were stripped of stock, with some stores putting rations in place, restricting shoppers on the amount of essential items they could buy
• In February, Costco experienced a 12.4% boost in sales in comparison to the same time last year, with the increased figures expected to push over into March  

By ANDREW COURT and KEITH GRIFFITH FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Sheriff’s deputies have responded to a disturbance at a California Costco that ran out of key items, as the franchise reveals sales are up 12.4% with anxious shoppers stocking up amid the coronavirus outbreak.  

Deputies responded to the Chino Hills Costco Thursday morning after receiving a report of a disturbance, a San Bernadino County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman told DailyMaill.com.

On the scene, deputies learned that ‘a large group of customers were upset’ that items such as toilet paper, paper towels, and bottled water were out of stock, said Public Information Officer Cindy Bachman. 

Stores across the country are grappling to keep up with increased demand, with long lines forming at registers on Thursday. On Friday morning, stocks were replenished in several stores, but items were beginning to be rationed. 

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One Miami Costco enforced a rule that customers could only purchase five packs of toilet paper and five packs of bottled water.  Meanwhile, cleaning wipes were limited to two packs per customer.  

Shoppers in all 50 states fear they could be quarantined due to the coronavirus, prompting them to load up on essential items – and boost Costco profits in the process.  

On Thursday it was reported that Costco sales for the month of February are up a whopping 12.4% on last year. 

‘Members are turning to us for a variety of items associated with preparing for and dealing with a virus,’ Costco CFO Richard Galanti told analysts Thursday, according to KTLA-TV.   

The profits are expected to push over into March, with an analyst from investment bank UBS stating: ‘As consumers prioritize a dwindling number of trips to stores, [Costco] will likely be at the top of the list. Over the long-term, we think the stock-ups will help accelerate [Costco’s] share gains.’ 

Customers at a Costco in Los Feliz, California were anxious to stock up on supplies Thursday before they ran out. Bottled water, toilet paper and alcohol wipes were top of the list for many 

Panicked Californians continued to stock up on supplies Thursday, amid the growing coronavirus outbreak. Pictured: A customer inside a Los Feliz Costco loading up on bottled water, paper cups and toilet paper

Anxious customers at a Los Feliz Costco were taking no precautions Wednesday, loaded up on bottled water, toilet paper and paper towels 

Two women waited in line to check out their groceries at a Costco in Los Feliz. Like all the others in line, their cart was full of bottled water and toilet paper 

Lines for the cashier stretched back deep inside the store at a Los Feliz Costco Thursday, after California declared a state of emergency due to the coronavirus outbreak 

Relieved that they had secured items in scare supply, customers waited patiently in line to pay for the items and take them home at a Los Feliz Costco

Canned foods, such as Spam, were a popular choice for shoppers at the Los Feliz Costco. In just hours, the store’s stocks were lowLos Angeles panic buying slams Costco amid coronavirus epidemicLoaded: 0%Progress: 0%0:00PreviousPlaySkipMuteCurrent Time0:00/Duration Time3:25FullscreenNeed Text

 California

While cops were called to The Chino Hills store for a disturbance, other Costco customers in California were keeping calm as they waited in line to pay for their supplies. 

Lines for the cashier snaked back deep into a Costco outlet in Los Feliz, with carts full of bottled water, toilet paper and paper towles. 

Many customers wore face masks in a bid to protect themselves from coronavirus – a day after California declared a state of emergency after a resident died in relation to the illness. 

As of Friday morning, 66 Californians had tested positive to COVID-19.  

One shopper was taking no precaution, wearing a face mask as he paid for items at the cash register 

Sales for the month of February up 12.4% on last year at Costco stores, and the boost is likely to push through into March

One shopper pushed a pallet full of supplies out of a store in Novato, California 

Shoppers are pictured at a Costco in Novato, near San Francisco. The northern part of California has been hard hit by the coronavirus 

One lady struggled to keep her items contained in her cart as she left a Novato Costco and headed to her car

With more diagnoses confirmed in New York Thursday, shoppers flooded a Costco in Brooklyn. 

The store warned customers there would be a limit to amount of water and rice they could buy Thursday. Amazon is also warning same-day grocery customers that delivery may be limited. 

22 people have tested positive to coronavirus across New York State, with one reported instance of ‘community spread’ occurring on Long Island. 

The new cause panicked shoppers to run on stores across Suffolk County, where Walmart and Target were depleted of cold medication and disinfecting wipes. ……More Here 

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