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Musing-Weekly Newsletter

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That Inflation Thing!
​

What better way to get a measure of inflation than to seek out companies that buy a lot of consumer stuff. Costco’s earnings report highlighted several broad challenges and opportunities facing US businesses right now. “Inflationary factors abound,” said CFO Richard Galanti, including higher wages, higher costs for freight, more consumer demand, supply chain chaos, and “various shortages of everything.” 
·                Beef prices are up as much as 20% in the last month.
·                Prices for some apparel items are 3%–10% higher.
·                Overall, the company said that price inflation at the selling level, excluding gasoline, was 2.5%–3.5%, much higher than in March. What Costco is seeing is reflected in the broader economy. A report released yesterday showed that a measure of inflation grew in April at its fastest annual pace since the ’90s. 
 
Costco is leading the charge back to the 2019s. Free food samples are coming back. The company said it’s “beginning a phased return to full sampling” after 14 long months without offering shoppers microwaved mini tacos for nourishment. 
  • In another sign that nature is healing, two weeks ago Costco dropped its requirement for shoppers who are fully vaccinated to wear masks, a day after the CDC relaxed requirements.
  • Costco was one of the first US retailers to mandate masks in early May 2020. 
Food courts will return, but at half-capacity and with spaced-out tables. And samples will be given behind plexiglass screens.

What better way to get a measure of inflation than to seek out companies that buy a lot of consumer stuff. Costco’s earnings report highlighted several broad challenges and opportunities facing US businesses right now. “Inflationary factors abound,” said CFO Richard Galanti, including higher wages, higher costs for freight, more consumer demand, supply chain chaos, and “various shortages of everything.” 
·                Beef prices are up as much as 20% in the last month.
·                Prices for some apparel items are 3%–10% higher.
·                Overall, the company said that price inflation at the selling level, excluding gasoline, was 2.5%–3.5%, much higher than in March. What Costco is seeing is reflected in the broader economy. A report released yesterday showed that a measure of inflation grew in April at its fastest annual pace since the ’90s. 
 
Costco is leading the charge back to the 2019s. Free food samples are coming back. The company said it’s “beginning a phased return to full sampling” after 14 long months without offering shoppers microwaved mini tacos for nourishment. 
  • In another sign that nature is healing, two weeks ago Costco dropped its requirement for shoppers who are fully vaccinated to wear masks, a day after the CDC relaxed requirements.
  • Costco was one of the first US retailers to mandate masks in early May 2020. 
Food courts will return, but at half-capacity and with spaced-out tables. And samples will be given behind plexiglass screens.

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