Inflation or something else?

[Bronze_Palms]

I don't want to call it "inflation" because its not the traditional use of the term where the same product increases in cost to the consumer by 10%, for example, but I have noticed other ways that the net price of products have shifted.

For example, I order a lot of goods for my business that are liquid; liquid is very costly to ship because it is heavy. Suppliers used to offer free shipping if you buy a specific amount. Now, you're paying for shipping, regardless. 

Other times, I order the same drying powder but there is less ounces of it; called: shrinkflation.

I don't see as much inflation, however.

What are you seeing in your industry?

[DinaLRosenberg]

That is definitely inflation... companies are trying to control their margins without a direct/normal price increase. 

Shipping is one- we ONLY order when shipping is free. So we'll wait for sales and specials. A lot of times they'll offer free shipping if you order over a certain $ amount- so we'll order larger amounts at a time in order to get the free shipping which saves thousands, 

We just got hit with a traditional price increase on a tried-and-true product. We'll have to take a look at our pricing to the customer and see what we can do (we're trying to hold the line on prices as much as possible).