Inflation is unavoidable and can have a drastic effect on the cost of food and other goods. Consumers everywhere have had to adjust to the rising prices of their favorite perishable staples. Thankfully, some companies have chosen to fight back against inflation and have kept the price of their goods the same for decades. Below, we discuss who they are and how they’ve been able to do so.
AriZona iced tea
The iconic and beloved AriZona iced tea 23-ounce can came out around 1992, and it has somehow managed to stay the same price for about 30 years. As inflation continues to drive the prices of everything else up high, consumers can trust and rely on the 99-cent price tag of the fan-favorite beverage.
How has the family-owned company kept the cost down for so long? Well, for starters, they sell about one billion cans of 99-cent iced tea a year. That’s no small matter. As well, their other products, including fruit drinks, energy drinks, and bottled teas, are priced higher than 99 cents, making profits roll in regardless of the price of the 23-ounce can staying the same all these years.
Of course, because of the rising costs of everything else, the revenue from the iced tea cans is down compared to previous years. Thankfully, the company’s 70-year-old founder, Don Vultaggio, has no intention of raising the 99-cent price tag. He said, “Consumers don’t need another price increase from a guy like me.” He feels that the short-term profit of raising prices isn’t worth the loss of loyal customers in the long run.
Costco hot dogs
Another family staple that has maintained a ridiculously low price tag is the Costco hot dog and soda meal, coming in at a meager $1.50. Introduced in the 1980s, families visiting the wholesaler could sit down after a long shopping trip to an affordable and delicious hot dog and soft drink at the Costco food court.
Over the years, costs have continued to rise, and current Costco CEO Craig Jelinek was scared that keeping the price the same was going to be a problem. After approaching co-founder Jim Sinegal about this fear, he was given a very clear and direct response. Sinegal said, “If you raise the effing hot dog, I will kill you. Figure it out.” He seems pretty committed to keeping that $1.50 price tag.
The company has been able to keep the price the same for decades because they replaced their hot dog supplier with their internal Kirkland Signature brand. Keeping it in-house has helped costs stay low, and they also transitioned from 12-ounce soda cans to 20-ounce fountain drinks which cost significantly less for the business. In addition, other food court items have seen a price hike to offset the low cost of the hot dog and soda meal.
More from us: Money-Saving Tips From 1940s Homemakers That Still Work Today
While the rest of the consumer world takes a price hike, we can always rely on the AriZona iced tea cans and the Costco hot dog and soda meal to keep their super low price tags… for now.