Shortage Gaming & Supply Chain Manipulation

Shortage gaming = artificially creating scarcity to inflate prices. Tactics:

• Hoarding: Buy bulk → resell high.
• Price gouging: Exploit emergencies.
• False demand: Fake orders → overproduction → waste.
• Logistics interference: Block transport → artificial shortage.

Supply Chain Damage

• Higher consumer prices.
• Reduced availability of essentials.
• Market volatility.
• Eroded trust.
• Economic drag.

Real Cases

• COVID: Sanitizer/TP hoarding & gouging.
• PS5/Xbox Series X: Scalpers + production limits.
• Global chip shortage: Possible strategic stockpiling.

Solutions

• Regulation (antitrust, anti-gouging).
• Industry transparency/collaboration.
• Consumer awareness.
• Tech: blockchain tracking, analytics.

Fair markets need collective vigilance.