The popularity of the now famous sweet potato pies of Patti Labelle has caused a shortage of the vegetable. As Walmart stores across the country are sold out of the product, the demand for more of the pies this holiday season is on the rise. The review of singer James Wright Chanel on YouTube of one of Patti’s pies resulted in a mad rush for the product and has been viewed over 2.5 million times on his channel. Walmart estimated that after the review aired it sold one sweet potato pie a second for 72 hours. The pie can only be purchased at Walmart and now the store chain has upgraded the bakeries at 750 of its 4,500 U.S. stores.
Walmart is now looking to acquire at least 2 million pounds of sweet potatoes to meet the growing demand of the product. The pies normally sell for $3.48 at Walmart but some people have taken to eBay and Craigslist to sell the pies for as much as $60 each. It is expected that demand for the pies will slow after the holiday season but for the now the Labelle touch has been a money maker for the retailer and Patti Labelle.
