I don't really think there's an actual shortage. Where I currently live, we have a regional chain version of walmart that's not exactly locally owned, but the guy who owns it is from the general area and is REALLY pro small business. Everything he buys and sells comes from local farms and businesses in whatever area that particular shopping center is set up.

For example, they'll cut a deal with a local pharmacy to move and set up shop in their store so they get more foot traffic, and help other small businesses around the area get out of their current leases to move to their new shopping center when they build one to increase foot traffic for everyone. For the record, its always a sale-leaseback deal so they aren't collecting rent from these businesses, they're just trying to unify everyone in a front against giants like walmart, target, etc. So they can band together and all make a profit.

Think medium sized Walmart without the corporate douche baggery. Anyway, the walmart in my area is running low on stuff as well, but the store I'm talking about isn't low on anything. In fact, they've actually got new products in stock every week.

The point I'm trying to make is that I don't think there's an actual shortage, it's just some large cabal controlled companies are screwing around with the supply lines, refusing to buy certain products, etc. to create an illusion of there being a shortage of certain products. If you have a local joint, try going there and see if it's the same for you.