"Home electricity prices are up 6.3% and natural gas service 9.8% in the last year, while prices for ground beef have jumped 17.2% and coffee 18.3%, according to the January Consumer Price Index. Companies can no longer absorb the costs imposed by Trump's tariff policies, and brands like Stanley Black & Decker, McCormick & Company and Levi Strauss recently announced price increases."
"Zoom in: These factors put companies at the center of a high-stakes economic narrative, and some major U.S. brands are recalibrating their messaging. McDonald's, for example, has made affordability central to its consumer messaging after raising prices roughly 40% since 2019. The company recently rolled out $5 meal deals and promoted $8 nugget bundles, while executives emphasize a renewed focus on "value leadership" to win back lower-income customers."
Home electricity and natural gas prices increased 6.3% and 9.8% year-over-year, while ground beef and coffee rose 17.2% and 18.3% per the January CPI. Companies report inability to absorb tariff-driven cost increases, prompting price hikes from brands such as Stanley Black & Decker, McCormick & Company and Levi Strauss. Businesses also cite higher wages and rising health insurance costs as additional drivers. Job creation has been stagnant and white-collar employment has fallen amid potential AI disruption. Major brands are shifting messaging toward affordability, with McDonald's rolling out $5 meals and emphasizing value leadership; some firms are cutting prices on select items.
Read at Axios
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