As to who gets to decide these, things, the answer is US! Us and our dollars!
The "market" depends on what we buy (or don't buy) and that is how the "trends" emerge.
I think we are seeing a lot more thriftiness (is that a word, lol) because of the economy. A lot of reusing whatever we can.
So....in other words, BLAME THE GOVERMENT! LOL!