Higher tariffs, labor and health-insurance costs have pushed many businesses to raise prices
Companies from Levi Strauss LEVI 0.69%increase; green up pointing triangle & Co. to McCormick MKC -0.22%decrease; red down pointing triangle & Co., among others, say they are raising prices early this year on items from bluejeans and spices to housewares and industrial products.
After holding the line on prices for several months, companies—big and small—have begun a new round of increases, in some cases by high-single-digit percentage points.
Companies had raised prices last year after tariffs hoisted costs. Yet starting in the fall, many firms held off on increases and sometimes offered discounts to capture holiday shoppers.
The pricing break is over. Many companies typically raise prices at the start of the new year. Yet increases appeared to be stronger than normal for January for electronics, appliances and other durable goods, said UBS economist Alan Detmeister.
https://www.wsj.com/business/price-increases-consumers-businesses-b70e4542