Which of the following is most likely to shift the supply curve for pet grooming services leftward?

• A. A decrease in the price of pet grooming services
• B. An improvement in pet grooming technology
• C. An increase in the cost of pet grooming equipment
• D. A decrease in the wages of pet groomers

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a leftward shift in the supply curve means a decrease in supply at every price level, which typically happens when production becomes more costly or difficult.
2. Analyze each option to see how it affects the cost or ability to supply pet grooming services:
3. A decrease in the price of pet grooming services affects quantity supplied (movement along the supply curve), not the supply curve itself, so it does not shift the curve.
4. An improvement in pet grooming technology usually makes production more efficient, lowering costs and shifting the supply curve rightward (increase in supply), not leftward.
5. An increase in the cost of pet grooming equipment raises production costs, making it more expensive to supply services, which shifts the supply curve leftward (decrease in supply).
6. A decrease in the wages of pet groomers lowers production costs, which would shift the supply curve rightward (increase in supply), not leftward.