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You do not need to be evil villains in a dimly lit boardroom for such things. It is simply a matter of self interest, and each actor can easily independently arrive at it. There is a general atmosphere of confusion and chaos and the public knows there are issues with supply chains and manufacturing, so who's to know the increase in prices is really due to legitimate issues or just a silent hike in profiteering. The consumer is none the wiser at that moment.

"Never let a good crisis go to waste" is commonplace knowledge.

That's just herd behavior

"Massive conspiracy" is a bit of a straw man. Self-interest among a group of people with power can lead to convergent behaviour that is to the detriment of wider society. No conspiracy needed.

There doesn't need to be a conspiracy and they don't need to be in cahoots. They just need to all recognize a situation that allows price gouging.