Heather Long
ON THE RECORD · 8 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“The basics are that inflation is wiping out wage gains,”
Heather Long · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-12
Long said inflation is eliminating wage gains, with April marking a turning point after wage growth had generally exceeded inflation.
“A substantial number of Americans are worse off, their incomes are not keeping up with the price increases right now,”
Heather Long · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-12
Heather Long told CNBC that many Americans' incomes are not keeping up with price increases as inflation outpaces wage growth.
“That's what's just hard to watch. Things were getting better, and now that improvement has blown up,”
Heather Long · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-12
Long lamented the reversal of progress in household finances as energy costs surged this spring.
“It's going to be tough for a long time,”
Heather Long · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-12
Long said it is difficult to see inflation falling substantially while geopolitical pressures continue and wage growth slows.
“People who used to shop at Whole Foods are now at Costco, Aldi, and so you can see that people are still really trying to stretch every dollar,”
Heather Long · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-12
Long said consumers are shifting to discount and warehouse stores like Costco and Aldi as they try to stretch their dollars.
“But that's still going to feel pretty miserable on Main Street if inflation equals wage growth,”
Heather Long · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-12
Long said even a best-case scenario of wage growth and inflation converging around the beginning of 2027 would still feel miserable on Main Street.
“The frustration is real on inflation and affordability,”
Heather Long · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-12
Long acknowledged real consumer frustration regarding inflation and affordability.
“almost across the income spectrum.”
Heather Long · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-12
Long said the consumer shift toward discount and warehouse stores is appearing almost across the income spectrum.