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Marketplace Morning Report for Friday, September 12, 2014

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Later today we’ll know more about ways the U.S. and Europe will apply new sanctions against Russia for supporting separatists in and around Ukraine. Financial, energy and defense are expected to get targeted. And Russian officials are working on some interesting sanctions of their own. As part of Marketplace’s 25th birthday, we look at the surprising, sometimes delightful and sometimes destructive ways that prices have changed during the last quarter century. Saul Zabar, of the famed Upper West Side establishment Zabar’s, couldn’t remember what he was charging for smoked salmon 25 years ago. But a magazine from 1989 lists a Zabar’s sale price: $15.95 a pound, Scotch salmon, pre-sliced. But as we’ll be reminding ourselves during this series, ya gotta adjust for inflation. $15.95 is more than 30 dollars a pound in today’s money. Today, routinely, with no special sale, Saul charges under 24 dollars a pound. In real terms, that’s a 22 percent decline in 25 years. Now we shouldn’t forget that farming salmon can have environmental costs. And there are two parts to the price equation, not just supply but also demand. We take a closer look at the raw material that goes into smoked salmon.

 

Segments From this episode

The Marketplace Inflation Calculator

Let's inflate like it's 1989

by David Brancaccio Sep 12, 2014
A primer from the name on the front of your macroeconomics textbook from college.
The Marketplace Inflation Calculator

The price of smoked salmon hasn't swum upstream

by David Brancaccio Sep 12, 2014
Not everything has gotten more expensive over time. Case in point: smoked salmon.

Wal-Mart draws criticism for its new dress code

by Queena Kim Sep 12, 2014
The retailer's employees complain about the cost of new clothes.
Mid-day Update

PODCAST: Walmart's new wardrobe

by David Brancaccio Sep 12, 2014
FEMA asks for a refund, Walmart has a new uniform, and a primer on inflation.

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