县城物价刺客，暴击返乡打工人

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the stark contrast in consumer behavior and pricing between urban and rural areas during the Chinese New Year, illustrating how returning city dwellers face unexpectedly high prices in their hometowns, which challenges their perceptions of value and spending [1][25]. Group 1: Pricing Dynamics - In rural areas, prices for basic items like coffee and meals can be significantly higher than in major cities, with examples such as a cup of coffee costing 38 yuan compared to 9.9 yuan in Beijing [1][25]. - The pricing strategy in rural areas is described as a "survival instinct," where local businesses capitalize on the influx of returning residents during the holiday season, leading to inflated prices for food and beverages [17][25]. Group 2: Consumer Behavior - Returning residents often feel pressured to spend on expensive items to maintain their social image among family and friends, leading to a phenomenon where they pay inflated prices for goods they would typically avoid [15][28]. - The article suggests that the high prices are not just for the products themselves but also for the "escape" they provide from familial pressures and expectations, framing the purchase as a form of "protection" from social scrutiny [10][11]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The article emphasizes that the rural market operates on a supply-demand basis, where limited supply during peak seasons allows businesses to charge higher prices without competition from larger urban markets [25][27]. - It notes that the local businesses are aware of the economic principles of scarcity and demand, adjusting their pricing strategies accordingly during peak times like the New Year [27][30].