Consumers are fighting price increases

Inflation has changed the shopping habits of Americans, and those changes are helping reduce inflation.

People are fed up with prices still being 19% higher than before the pandemic.

As a result, people avoid expensive brands, shop at discount stores, buy fewer luxury items, and choose used cars rather than new ones.

When high inflation continues, consumers often develop this mindset: buy things quickly before prices go up more, which can keep inflation going. However, that's not how consumers reacted recently. Consumer Stuart Dryden has saved money by moving to a cheaper apartment and buying store-brand items. He said that they cost less but have the same quality as popular brands.

This growing consumer pushback has led big food companies to slow down their price increases recently. These smaller food price increases are expected to help lessen inflation, which has decreased sharply from 9.1% in 2022 to 3.1%. Samuel Rines, a financial expert, says that people don't want to take higher prices anymore. And many big companies noticed this. For example, PepsiCo decided to focus on gaining more sales rather than increasing prices starting this year.

be fed up with ...　　～にうんざりしている　　feed 食物等を与える -fed-fed

develop　/dɪ'veləp/　v)発達させる

mindset     n)考え方

that's not how S＋V　　(S＋V) がちょっと違う

pushback   n)反発･抵抗   

lessen   v)小さくなる･少なくなる

Growing Consumer Pushback

According to the article, many consumers are looking for ways to save money now because inflation is high. Why do you think there is a growing pushback among consumers recently?

People stop quickly buying things before prices go up more.

(買いだめ) Stocking up on things can keep inflation going. 

When inflation is high, the usual mindset is to buying things quickly before prices go up more. Do you think this is a good strategy?

This strategy is good for big food companies, not for consumers.

(逆に) On the contrary, consumers shouldn't stock up on things.

  

Consumer Stuart Dryden moved to a cheaper apartment and bought cheaper alternatives. How do you think this decision will affect his future?

Shopping Habits

What shopping habits do you have?

binge shopping: I go binge shopping.

What are some examples of good and bad shopping habits?

have a list for ... : Good shopping habits are making a list for things.

Which mindset is more important for you: saving money for the future or spending money for fun?

for a rainy day: we need to save money for a rainy day.

contrary   adj)正反対の･相容れない･逆の　n)反対のもの

alternative　adj)二者択一の･代替えの　n)ひとつを選択すること･代替え