I think inflation is nothing more than price gouging from Governments, and large corporations.

I read the other day that the largest ever profits were being made in oil, with the largest producer reaping 700 million a day.

And yes, the small stores suffer, making them less attractive and driving customers to the large conglomerates. It is a consolidation, a centralization of wealth generation.

in America Hot Air Fryers were a big sales item, everyone wanted one since they had to stay home and cook as all the restaurants were closed. Now those same fryers are sitting on the shelf and not moving even with the price reductions.

Same here - I am waiting for the bottom before I buy one ;D

it is hard to see running from something to running to something for me when all I see is a lot of tail chasing, and lemming style actions.

And this is the rat race isn't it? It isn't just work, it is the reason we work.