Political | Process

“It just feels like there are all of these factors that are out of our control, and it doesn’t seem like there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Minnie Luong, owner of Chi Kitchen, a manufacturer of kimchi and other fermented Asian-flavored vegetables.

The Pawtucket, R.I., company, which has eight employees, has faced a roughly 50% increase in raw-materials costs and shortages of glass jars used in packaging. Ms. Luong raised prices for retailer accounts by 5% in May. It was the company’s first increase for those customers in its seven-year history, but not enough to cover rising ingredient costs.

Sales have slowed in recent weeks, said Ms. Luong, who isn’t sure if the May price increase, seasonality or a pullback in spending is to blame. “I don’t know what it is, but I don’t like it,” she said.

“Customers that would typically buy a truckload are buying half a truckload,” said Drew Bahner, chief executive of Expanded Solutions, an Oklahoma City-based manufacturer of expanded metal products used for industrial applications, fencing and other security needs, and patio furniture. “We are not losing business. They are not seeing the business.”

Large companies also are feeling the strain of supply-chain problems, rising prices and labor shortages. Walmart Inc., WMT 2.85%▲ the country’s largest retailer by revenue, said sales increased in the most recent quarter, but higher product, supply-chain and employee costs ate into profits. 

Target Corp. TGT -0.94%▼ posted lower quarterly earnings last week as supply-chain costs and inflationary pressures ate into profits. Those chains are also seeing signs that consumers are beginning to curtail spending, particularly on discretionary purchases, as they deal with higher prices for fuel and other expenses.