> wouldn't you then go to __x food shop down the street__
A-hem. Command economies and central planning are interesting like that.
If there is a shortage, it doesn't matter if your market is "free" or if your economic planner is Sam Walton or Сталин or Bezos, you better hurry to next shop and hope they still have some, or hope you're rich enough to buy from scalpers, or hope there is enough supply for rationing.