Shoppers are feeling the pinch as winter storm Fern approaches New York City and the Northeast, leading to noticeable price hikes.
Many consumers across the U.S. are reporting a sharp increase in prices, especially on Amazon. The Post utilized Rufus, Amazon’s AI shopping assistant, to track these changes, revealing rapid price increases that are quite astounding.
For instance, a pair of Amazon Essentials Women’s Lace-Up Puffer Snow Boots was priced at $22.85 on Tuesday. By Wednesday, that price shot up by $14.25 to $37.10, and then climbed another $6.60 to $43.70 by Thursday. Overall, that’s a staggering 91% leap… from Tuesday to Thursday.
It gets better—if you’re looking for sidewalk salt, you’ll find that prices have soared as well. A one-gallon container of Petra Pet Safe Ice Melt, for example, jumped from $44.98 on Tuesday to nearly $65 by Thursday, marking a 44.5% increase.
Experts warn about the potential fallout of winter storms, including loss of power and service disruptions. It’s a good time to gather supplies like flashlights, lanterns, and batteries. On Thursday, a 4-pack of Rechamp LED Camp Lanterns saw a price rise of $10.20, now costing $29.99—up from $19.79 the previous day.
Similarly, a 3-pack of rechargeable flashlights increased from $35.98 on Sunday to $44.98 by Thursday, with the most significant jump occurring just from Wednesday to Thursday.
While many battery packs seem stable for now, some popular items, like a DREO space heater, have risen from $32.89 to $38.99—a change of over $6 since just a few days ago.
There’s been an uptick in prices for winter essentials too. For example, the Arctix Kids Insulated Snow Bib Overalls increased by $7 to $48.99. Moreover, popular waterproof mittens for kids surged from $14.39 to $17.99 in just one day.
Even diaper prices have risen, with the Pampers Swaddle diaper climbing from $56.78 on Wednesday to $59.77 by Thursday. Another set of women’s snow boots maintained a price of $41.39 for several days before jumping to $45.99.
Ice melts are experiencing similar inflation. Snow Joe Premium Enviro Blend Ice Melt rose from $32.97 to $35.97 in just one day, while a 3-pack ice scraper set also saw a price increase from $23.99 to $26.99.
The Post has reached out to Amazon for a statement regarding these price fluctuations.
In states like South Carolina and North Carolina, price gouging laws are already in effect as they brace for the snowy weather. In New York, the law prohibits retailers from charging unfair prices for necessities during emergencies.
New York Attorney General Letitia James reiterated the importance of protecting consumers during such conditions, emphasizing that essential items should remain affordable. This includes food, water, gasoline, and other critical supplies.
