Akron’s DeVitis Italian Market says it is absorbing part of its higher costs instead of fully passing them to shoppers, even as inflation pressures nearly every part of the business.
Goods, employee wages and fuel have all become more expensive, with owner Nick DeVitis saying delivery routes for wholesale sandwich accounts have been hit hardest by higher gas prices.
The market has not added a fuel surcharge because it hopes the spike is temporary, a choice that helps keep prices manageable but cuts into margins.
Customer spending has grown more cautious since the start of the year, adding pressure on a family business that has been adapting to persistent post-pandemic inflation while relying on loyal repeat customers.
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