This happened recently with price gouging disguised as inflation as well.
It seems to be a common business tactic for corps at over over a certain size.
It seems to be a common business tactic for corps at over over a certain size.
This not only harms consumers but also holds back economic growth. Strengthening antitrust policies could curb monopolistic behavior, promote fair pricing, and restore market competition.
It's usually very difficult and risky.
It remains true that this is not objectively distinguishable from price gouging. Gouging is just a word for "finding prices that I think aren't fair".
Notice how the level of inflation kind of matches the balance sheet curve if you assume the peak was that 9% (~June 2022)...now we're back down to ~3%.
But the Fed is talking about lowering rates, not increasing them further (because we're just magically on some 'glide path' back down to 2% I guess). I suppose you'll call that price gouging as well when inflation flares up again? Some of what's being "disguised" here are the definitions of words.
Just saying there are other factors at play. It's not all about the big bad corporations.