Small business owners weigh in on how they are coping with current economy Market reports show the U.S. economy is seeing strong job numbers and a waning inflation rate. When Mia Sakai opened her bodega in December 2020 she had to deal with the pandemic, supply chain issues and then rising costs of goods -- costs that she passed on to her customers. Between 2019 and 2023, food inflation increased by 25%, faster than other categories like housing, clothes and medical care.