Barcode Data Beats Surveys

U.S. economic statistics can shift from slow, survey‑centric methods to high‑frequency scanner data that track prices, quantities, and product attributes in near real time. This would improve inflation and productivity measures, reduce revisions, and align policy with what’s actually happening in stores. — Better, faster measurement would raise the quality of macro policy and media narratives, reducing noise in arguments over inflation, growth, and living standards.