A recent review of consumer spending by Rina Torchinsky, published by Dow Jones, documented a decrease in nonessential purchases by consumers over a wide range of income demographics.  Those on fixed incomes and families earning less than $100,000 annually, have limited their spending.  This is attributed to the 8.6 percent increase in consumer prices in May, placing luxury goods beyond budgets.  Expensive cuts of beef are now bypassed in favor of pork and chicken. Dining out, especially for families, has been replaced by eat-at-home.

The high price of fuel has changed driving habits and thermostats are now more carefully monitored as costs of power rise.

Anecdotal reports appearing frequently in the media are supported by the Beige Book issued by the Federal Reserve.  Half of the twelve Federal Reserve districts documented decreased consumer spending.  The University of Michigan Survey confirmed that shoppers are reducing discretionary purchases, including electronics and are disinclined to purchase major items, including automobiles.

Indirectly, frugality in spending, especially on groceries, will sustain or even add to sales of eggs based on value, even with higher shelf prices as a result of lower availability due to flock depopulation resulting from HPAI.