The Girl Scouts council in Orange County, California, is raising the price on its famous cookies, from $4 a box to $5. The Wall Street Journal noted the change (paywall), which is occurring in other parts of the country as well. The scouts blame inflation, noting that its own expenses are 27% higher than they were in 2004. Framed that way, the move makes sense—especially considering that the consumer price index basket for cookies has climbed even faster.
But that chart is measuring the total change each month from the end of 2003. If you look at the monthly figures on a year-over-year basis, the US actually has been in a state of cookie deflation for the past few months. So the Girl Scouts are going against the grain in charging more for Thin Mints, but try saying that when a bunch of earnest little salesgirls in green uniforms shows up at your door.
