The scourge of “stealthflation”
Companies have found sneaky ways to raise prices. Where will it end?
By Leo Mirani
THERE IS, AS economists like to say, no such thing as a free lunch. Buy your lunch in a branch of McDonald’s, however, and you may find there is no such thing as free relish, either. Outlets in some countries now charge for ketchup and other condiments. Yet McDonald’s is not alone in hitting customers with unexpected charges. Amid a surge of inflation, firms have found several stealthy ways to raise prices. Could 2024 mark a turning-point in this invidious trend?
Explore more
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition of The World Ahead 2024 under the headline “The scourge of “stealthflation””
Discover more
The World Ahead 2025
Ten business trends for 2025, and forecasts for 15 industries
A global round-up from The Economist Intelligence Unit
Superforecasters in 2025
What the “superforecasters” predict for major events in 2025
The experts at Good Judgment weigh in on the coming year
Obituary in 2025
The rings of Saturn will disappear in 2025
First observed by Galileo, this occurs twice every 29 years
By Invitation: Science & technology in 2025
Casey Handmer says solar power is changing the economics of energy
Large-scale production of synthetic fuel is now feasible, argues the founder of Terraform Industries
Science & technology in 2025
Space missions to watch in 2025
Humans may fly around the Moon, and robots will explore new frontiers