Consumer preferences

Principles of Economics // Fall 2025

Prof. Santetti

marcio.santetti@emerson.edu

From trade to consumption

From trade to consumption



Who are the first affected by barriers to trade (e.g., tariffs)?


And second?

From trade to consumption




Who is paying for Trump’s tariffs? So far, it’s US businesses. (PIIE)

From trade to consumption




Consumers Are Pulling Back, Spooked by Tariff-Related Price Increases (NYT)

Demand

Demand


If not always, consumers are usually price takers.



Consumers vs. higher prices

Demand


Not just prices.


Demand is also affected by:


  • Changes in taste;

  • Price of complements;

  • Price of substitutes.

Demand




Quick survey

Demand


Consumers have only so much income to spend.



Two categories:

  • Normal goods;

  • Inferior goods.

Next time: Elasticities