The Role of Consumers In contrast, consumers (who are also stakeholders) typically buy the best product they can find for the price, often without knowing or caring about its origin. They often don't realize how much retail prices rise in aggregate because of import restrictions. do they take much notice, since consumer costs are typically spread out among many people over time and entail a small price increase for individual purchase. For example, even if U.S. consumers knew how import restrictions on peanuts and sugar add to the domestic price of peanut butter and confectionary products, it likely would not spur them enough to band together and push government leaders to rectify the situation.