Sticker shock, a feeling as old as commerce itself, is no longer just an irksome, unexpectedly high bill. In the era of social media, overpaying for dinner is an invitation for anyone and everyone to publicly shake their fist over the health of the global economy.
Sure. But that doesn't establish the relative price/income ratio of retail.
The horse-race politics angle is pure political engagement. However, the cost of basic necessities relative to the prevailing availability of incomes is a lot more than just engagement. They're describing real material conditions.