WSJ: American companies realized that half of consumers cannot afford their products

American companies have finally begun to react to high prices that have become unaffordable for a significant portion of the U.S. population. According to Wall Street Journal data, approximately half of Americans can no longer afford products from many major brands.

Major American companies appear to have finally grasped the severity of the pricing crisis that ordinary consumers in the U.S. have been facing. According to a Wall Street Journal article, roughly half of Americans are no longer able to purchase goods at current prices, forcing businesses to reconsider their pricing strategies.

For a long time, many major brands ignored market signals, continuing to raise prices amid inflation and rising costs. However, falling sales and changing consumer behavior — switching to cheaper alternatives and reducing spending — have forced corporations to reconsider their strategies.

The situation particularly clearly reflects growing social stratification in American society: while some high-income consumers barely feel price pressure, the middle and lower classes are increasingly feeling the consequences of years of price growth. Companies are beginning to offer more affordable versions of their products, discounts, and special loyalty programs.

Experts note that this shift could be an important signal for the entire retail and manufacturing sector: ignoring the purchasing power of mass consumers threatens long-term market share losses even for the most well-known brands.