‘Those days are over’: These business owners say they can’t raise prices even if they wanted to
CNN • • business
Key Points:
- Retailers like Mike Roach of Paloma Clothing in Portland are absorbing rising fuel surcharges to avoid raising prices, fearing higher costs will deter customers amid low consumer confidence.
- Wholesalers such as Bread Alone Bakery face pressure from both rising raw material and transportation costs, leading them to consider temporary delivery surcharges despite strong local supply chains mitigating some expenses.
- Manufacturers like Shirley Modlin of 3D Design and Manufacturing struggle with soaring raw material and fuel costs, forcing difficult decisions such as reducing staff hours while unable to raise prices due to customer resistance.
- Spot shipping businesses, exemplified by Kareem Miller of Strong Pact Trucking, do not receive fuel surcharge compensation directly, causing financial strain and sometimes leading to halted operations until
