Economic Deflation is Finally Slowly Starting Across Oklahoma

It was back in November that Walmart CEO Doug McMillan muttered a few words about the possibility of deflation. Most in Oklahoma scoffed at the sentiment, but here is what Doug said.

In the U.S., we may be managing through a period of deflation in the months to come, and while that would put more unit pressure on us, we welcome it, because it’s better for our customers.

We were experiencing record-high inflation back then all across the Sooner State, and it hasn't eased up at all to this point in 2024... but, major retailers have announced plans to cut costs in order to stabilize their own shrinking revenue.

It all started with McDonald's quarterly earnings call that ended with a shock. The Golden Arches were starting to crumble a little bit. Profits down, they quickly realized that people don't eat McD's because it's good food... people swing through the drive-thru because it's fast and cheap.

Now that even the cheapest value foods have doubled in price - such as the use-to-be 99¢ McChicken - McDonald's corporate announced a plan to lure people back into the restaurant. Starting in June, they plan to offer a $5 value meal for a limited time to remind people their food is still technically food.

Not to be outdone, Wendy's quickly joined suit and took their own stab at the breakfast crowd, offering a $3 breakfast meal.

It's not just fast food either.

Target has announced they've voluntarily slashed prices on 1500 essential everyday items on store shelves. While it makes for a good headline and sales pitch, the penny-savings add up over time.

Walmart is also doing the same thing on a larger scale - slashing prices of 7000 different items from baby wipes and laundry detergent to junk food and clothing in the hopes of getting more money out of tight wallets in this period of crushing economic inflation.

Other retailers like Aldi and Ikea have released statements saying they've already done the same thing, only they did so quietly over the last few weeks and months.

Will this solve inflation?

Nope. Inflation is what it is. Shrinkflation too for that matter. The goal of these marketing moves isn't to help the masses, it's to coerce more money from you.

That's not an evil thing of corporate greed, that's just business. After all, if there were no profits, there would be no business. On the plus side, you will marginally get more for your dollars while the price-wars go on, but America's economic collapse can't be solved by corporations. This is a problem that started and can only end in Washington.

Enjoy the discounts while you can. Odds are still 50/50 whether things get better or worse.