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Rising pet surrenders in US reveal economic inequality

As The Guardian reported in January of this year, half of inflation in the US is due to corporate price gouging. A report written by the Groundwork Collaborative think tank revealed that corporate profits accounted for about 53 percent of inflation during last year's second and third quarters. It is no exaggeration to say that the profit motive at the core of Western society is, quite literally, cannibalizing the family unit and undermining the fundamental well-being of society's most vulnerable - including pets.

February 29, 2024 Global Times

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Wendy’s says it won’t use surge pricing

As dynamic pricing and the use of AI moves into fast-food, companies risk confusing consumers and even losing customers, Lindsay Owens, the executive director of the Groundwork Collaborative, a DC-based, progressive policy group, wrote in an email to CNN. “After considerable public pushback, Wendy’s is now framing their dynamic pricing strategy as discounts during off-peak times instead of surge pricing during peak times,” she wrote.

February 28, 2024 CNN

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‘Shrinkflation’ fight: Dems launch bill saying shoppers pay more for less at stores

The FTC also could force companies to provide warnings on packages when they reduce the size or weight of a product but charge the same price, says Lindsay Owens, executive director of Groundwork Collaborative, a progressive economic policy research group. The group has endorsed Casey's bill.

February 28, 2024 USA Today

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FTC Puts Labor Focus In Merger Basket For 1st Time

"It's really notable and important that workers' well-being is finally being taken into account when we look at a merger," said Rakeen Mabud, the chief economist and managing director of policy and research at the Groundwork Collaborative, a self-identified progressive economic advocacy organization.

February 27, 2024 Law360

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Groundwork’s Lindsay Owens Praises FTC Suit to Block Kroger-Albertsons Merger

“Grocery store mergers are the absolute last thing Americans facing high prices at the check-out line want to see" states Groundwork's Lindsay Owens. "The FTC is absolutely right to block it, preventing these grocery giants from joining forces to raise costs, shrink competition, and squeeze workers and consumers even further.”

February 26, 2024 Groundwork Collaborative

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Biden Targets a New Economic Villain: Shrinkflation

Progressives who pushed Mr. Biden to target corporations earlier and more aggressively on price increases have welcomed his new focus. Lindsay Owens, the executive director of the liberal think tank Groundwork Collaborative in Washington, said in an interview that Mr. Biden’s comments were well timed to help voters understand why, even amid falling inflation, groceries and other key prices remain stubbornly high.

February 26, 2024 New York Times

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New CFPB Report Finds Record Credit Card Interest Rate Margins Cost Customers an Extra $25 Billion in 2023

“Inflation has been great for credit card companies, as Visa’s CEO loves to remind investors. But never one to leave well enough alone, they are blowing right past the prime rate, despite a less risky borrower pool, bringing in all-time high margins.”

February 22, 2024 Groundwork Collaborative

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Casey, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Combat Corporate Price Gouging

Dr. Rakeen Mabud, Chief Economist and Managing Director of Policy and Research at Groundwork Collaborative, highlighted the importance of addressing corporate power dynamics that enable price gouging. The legislation, she contended, is a vital safeguard against excessive corporate profit chasing.

February 16, 2024

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New CFPB Research Sheds Light on Big Banks’ Credit Card Greedflation Practices

Big banks are charging higher interest rates on credit cards than small banks, potentially costing customers hundreds of dollars a year

February 16, 2024 Groundwork Collaborative

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‘Greedflation’ Among New Words Added to Dictionary.com

Another, "greedflation," was informed by growing evidence that has shown in recent years how rising prices are not always the result of supply chain woes or other market pressures, but can be "caused by corporate executives or boards of directors, property owners, etc., solely to increase profits that are already healthy or excessive." The dictionary's addition of the word, said economic justice think tank Groundwork Collaborative, solidifies "its place in how we understand" recent inflation.

February 15, 2024 Common Dreams