Omicron is straining medical supply chains and this small practice

Jan 5, 2022
A rural family physician discusses shortages of medications, hospital staff and beds for COVID-19 patients.
Dr. Scott Anazalone at his independent medical practice in Logan, Ohio, in 2019. As the only independent family doctor in the area, he says demand for his services outstrips supply.
Cassidy Brauner

How companies disguise rising food prices

Jul 20, 2021
Manufacturers and retailers change packaging and use displays and discounts to distract from higher costs.
The cost of food has gone up, but grocers and manufacturers sometimes use tactics that make price jumps less noticeable.
Mario Tama via Getty Images

Mismatch in supply and demand sends coffee prices higher

Jul 12, 2021
Coffee commodity prices are hitting their highest levels in years. Will consumers keep paying more?
Global coffee consumption continues to rise.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

How this music store owner is dealing with skyrocketing demand and a stalling supply chain

Jun 16, 2021
Demand for instruments hasn't slowed down during the pandemic, and the reopening of venues means even more business.
Consumer interest in guitars and other instruments has increased during the pandemic and the  reopening period.
Jemal Countess via Getty Images

Planning to rent a car? It’s going to cost you.

May 27, 2021
A surge in demand, plus fewer rental cars, plus a chip shortage (and therefore fewer new cars) equals higher prices for travelers.
That summer road trip may cost you way more than you budgeted for.
lechatnoir via Getty Images

Retailers may get squeezed by home improvement supply shortages

May 19, 2021
There's a limit on how much retailers can raise prices. At some point customers may just walk away.
Home improvement stores have a lot of demand but low supply.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

What part of a new house costs 4 times as much as a year ago? Lumber!

Apr 19, 2021
Demand for new U.S. homes is at a record high, and existing homes are old and need repairs.
Lumber prices had risen for a while before the pandemic spurred a renovation trend and boosted prices further.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Manufacturing's supply and demand problem

Mar 2, 2021
Demand for manufactured goods is booming, and the supply chain for raw materials is struggling to meet it.
Manufacturers have had a hard time procuring raw materials, like steel. Above, a worker trims newly cast steel.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Challenges to output a "mixed blessing," says steel company chief

Nov 13, 2020
With COVID and trade barriers limiting supply, her inventory is worth more but replacing it isn't simple.
Lisa Goldenberg welcomes increased demand for vehicles and household appliances but has grappled with supply and price trends.
Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Meat prices are down, with surpluses lingering

Sep 21, 2020
Production levels are back to normal, but there's more meat than the industry can push through the supply chain.
A man shops in the meat section of a Washington, D.C., grocery store in April. Meat supply and demand has been up and down during the pandemic.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images