PRICES: Sweet Inflation

People buying gum or fruit drops today often find themselves fumbling for change and playing candy-counter roulette with various vendors who charge different prices for the same item. The trouble started when some manufacturers increased their prices on nickel candy and gum by either 1¢ or 2¢. In the subsequent confusion, wholesalers and retailers ignored the official prices and began charging whatever the traffic would bear. As a result, some people soured on sweets, and sales were hurt. Market analysts concluded that customers do not like to dig out several coins for a...

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