Greg Ip(@greg_ip):One problem with using pricing information from big box retailers like Walmart is that they are a small share of the consumption basket, with no footprint in huge categories like housing, health care. To date, alternative inflation data based on retailers hasn't been a reliable predictor of CPI or PCE.

Greg Ip

@greg_ip

Chief economics commentator for The Wall Street Journal. A fox, not a hedgehog. Read my articles here:

Joined January 2011

850 Following 82.9K Followers

Greg Ip@greg_ip

2026.07.15 20:41

One problem with using pricing information from big box retailers like Walmart is that they are a small share of the consumption basket, with no footprint in huge categories like housing, health care. To date, alternative inflation data based on retailers hasn't been a reliable predictor of CPI or PCE.