I believe you are drawing the wrong conclusion from the evidence. Buy cheaper products is not an indication of nor a cause of a recession. As long as the consumer is spending all their money the economy will keep humming along. If people cut back their spending, then it could cause a recession. Right now, people are too immiserated to cut back their spending. The poor, working class and lower middle class need to spend every penny they earn and maybe borrow to pay their bills. They will keep pumping their money into the economy. This is one of the reasons durable goods orders are a better indicator of a coming recession. Spending on big ticket items is more discretionary. Middle and upper middle class have more discretionary income to spend and can more dramatically change their spending habits. They can actually move the needle. The poor, working class and lower middle class cannot drive the or halt the economy.

This would be a better indicator of a coming recession.

https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/boat-sales-dropped-2024-report-1235801677/

Boat are a common discretionary purchase.

TEK