Are your costs for essential consumables and supplies up just 1.5% over the past year?
“The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1 percent in August on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.5 percent before seasonal adjustment.”- BLS News Release
The CPI-U is a measure of ‘Inflation,’ used by Washington D.C. Officials as a basis for policy and legislation decisions.
The Cadbury Egg, on the other hand, has decreased by almost a third, while the price remains the same. The Cadbury Egg is an indicator of “Stealth Inflation,” which is what consumers REALLY face in their day to day purchasing behavior.
According to Consumer Reports, it is not just Cadbury Sneaky Product Packaging
While these facts are relevant to us as consumers, the same forces are at work in our small businesses, as we continue to see price increases or declines in product provided for the price for our shop supplies and miscellaneous purchases.
Consumer Inflation Graph courtesy Shadowstats
Don’t believe me? how about the NYTIMES: Halving the Portion, but Not the Price
Cadbury Egg Photo and Blog