Hedonics is the science of trying to work out how much product quality has changed and adjusting inflation to take account of the fact more expensive products are not just inflation, but also improved quality. It is used in the US and UK calculation of inflation. If a TV increases in price by 10%, and …
Readers Question: What caused the massive decrease in the debt to GDP ratio for the UK following World War II? It is a good question to ask. In the past few years, many European policymakers have felt that rising debt levels needed panic levels of austerity/spending cuts. But, that didn’t happen in the UK in …
Flexible Labour Markets mean that the labour markets quickly adjust to a competitive equilibrium. Flexible labour markets involve factors such as: Easy to hire and fire workers. Labour is occupationally and geographically mobile. Government intervention does not distort the market. Characteristics of flexible markets A skilled workforce which can adapt to changing requirements. Flexible hours and …
The difference between CPI and PCE seemed relatively insignificant. However, a big issue is the difference between CPI and Core CPI. CPI is the consumer price index. A measure of the cost of living for the typical person. Core CPI is the CPI – energy and food prices. Energy and food prices are removed because …
House prices fall where there is a decline in demand and/or excess supply. The main factors that cause a fall in house prices involve: Rising interest rates (making mortgage payments more expensive) Economic recession / high unemployment (reducing demand and causing home repossessions). Fall in bank lending and fall in availability of mortgages (making it …
Deflation is defined as a fall in the general price level. It is a negative rate of inflation. The problem with deflation is that often it can contribute to lower economic growth. This is because deflation increases the real value of debt – and therefore reducing the spending power of firms and consumers. Also, falling …
Organic food is increasingly popular. In the UK, sales of organic food and drink is worth £1.96bn. But organic food still has only 1.4% share of the food and drink market (Soil Association) – with higher prices discouraging many shoppers. Organic food also attracts a hefty premium over non-organic food. In 2016, in the US, …
Organic food is a big growth area for consumer demand. Once thought to be the preserve of the wealthy or eco-eccentrics, organic food is going mainstream with many people from across the spectrum wishing to purchase organic food. Organic farming avoids the use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides but relies on more traditional methods of …