The September 2024 Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows a year-over-year increase of 2.4%, with core inflation, excluding food and energy, rising by 3.3%.
This slower pace of inflation cooling presents mixed impacts for minority-owned businesses. While reduced energy costs (down 1.9% for the month) could ease operational expenses, rising food prices (+0.4%) and core inflation might continue to strain consumer demand and profitability, particularly for businesses in food services or retail. The inflationary pressures are also likely to affect pricing strategies and cost management as these businesses navigate a still-challenging economic landscape.