Ever-Shifting Prices Of 2021: A Mixed Bag Of Highs And Lows

Toilet paper, mall Santas, maple syrup, rental cars, and more! 2021 has been a year of ever-shifting prices and supply shortages; intermingled in it all is inflation. As we look toward 2022, there’s the hope that LA ports will quickly become unclogged and that instead of seeing a shortage, we may see a surplus. Nonetheless, we still experienced the highest prices since November 1990. According to The Economist, inflation in 2022 is expected to continue to overshoot the central-bank targets but is set to decelerate from 2021 and eventually fade as a macroeconomic concern. But until then, here’s a recap on products that reached new heights this year.

The highs: Why now is the time to stock up on used cars, beer, and toilet paper

Used cars and trucks

The car industry saw its boom in the used car market: The consumer’s pocketbook filled with stimulus checks, and a chip shortage halted the production of new cars. The shortage of new cars then mixed with supply chain issues and rental agencies trying to restore their fleets, only revving up opportunities for higher pre-owned car prices. Now, Cox Automotivehas found that wholesale used car prices jumped up an unprecedented 26% in March; from May to June, they reached a peak of another 5.2% increase, according to Forbes.

Wine, beer, and liquor

From wine to beer to spirits, alcohol prices have seen a significant downpour of price hikes. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis found that prices have continued to rise by 2%. And while alcohol restaurant sales have not seen the same peak, online sales have soared. But 2022 may be no match for the alcohol market of 2021. Premium wines now ranging from $10.00 to $20.00 are expected to be the biggest driver of still and sparkling wine prices (up 15% between 2017 to 2022).

Tampons, diapers, and toilet paper

The toiletry industry has seen the royal flushing of consumer prices. Every big name in the market of tampons, diapers, and toilet paper has seemingly made the necessary changes to their products, all effects of inflation. For instance, consumer giant Procter & Gamble announced in April of 2021 that it planned to spike the price values on a variety of products in its baby care, feminine care, and adult products. And according to CNN’s Nathaniel Meyersohn, the cost of wood pulp, a key ingredient used to make toilet paper, saw a monumental rise in price. The cost of pulp now costs up to $606 per metric ton since September, and April saw a screaming value of $907 per metric ton. So, whether it be toilet paper, tampons, or diapers—all supplied and made by the same big commercial companies—, now is the time to invest in toiletries.

The lows: Finding bargains in this expensive year

A new wardrobe

Now is the time to update your capsule closet! From the time of February 2020 and February 2021, clothing and shoe prices have gone down 4.6%, according to the BEA—all due to the increased popularity of working from home in comfy, easily acquired loungewear. So, as we look toward the new year, now might be the time to create a wardrobe for the “new you.”

Electronics and computer equipment

Just in time for the holidays, the average price for a quality TV or alternative electronic is falling and is expected to fall further. For example, since February of 2021, the price of audio-visual equipment has seen a decrease of 3.8%. In comparison, the cost of computer software has seen a steep drop of almost 8%. And for all you math and science geeks, the price of calculators and other information processing equipment has plummeted more than 16%, according to the BEA. So, long story short, demand is down, and now is the time to snag a good deal on a quality mid-range television.