billddrummer

Inflation a Huge Drag as Energy Costs Transform Consumer Behavior

Follow-on comment.

I am a BBY sales associate, and I've seen people choose the less expensive alternative when faced with product choices. They're still buying, but not top line product.

As far as food shopping, I've cut back on expensive cuts of meat, discretionary meals, and pack my lunch most of the time instead of buy it out. When I do eat out, it's for less than $5.

But yesterday I saw a new restaurant that just opened near my office, selling grilled sandwiches (cheesesteaks, etc.). The cheapest item on the menu was $5.69 for a small sandwich. With a drink, that's an $8 meal.

There's a TacoBell in the same shopping center (where CompUSA used to be before it closed). The TacoBell had lines. The sandwich shop had three customers, two of whom looked like the owners.

I give them 6 months.