Two comments.

First, I'm in the business of making bread because people consume it, that's the purpose of bread. I still try to make it as filling and nutritious and healthy as possible. If I was in the business of bikes, I'd probably try to make the most sustainable and most lasting bike in the history - unfortunately, that is not sustainable in our current economic doctrine. I'd probably be starting a new business every 5 years. Or going turning everything into a subscription.

Second, an anecdote. One of the reasons the mother of my child was always mad at me was because I never bought new stuff for the little one. I had and have many friends with children that are just one or two years more than her, so I usually had more than enough clothes. I probably won't have to buy her new clothes until she turns 12, since my girlfriend's daughter is 14 now and well, at that age, clothes have a shorter "en vogue" cycle in comparison to their life-cycle. So I already have clothes for a 12 year old.
For Lily's mother though, buying new things was important. It was and is a symbol. Every time she spends time with her mom, Lily comes home with a lot of new (and mostly useless) stuff. Materialism is very common here, and if the region weren't so poor, Apple would make a lot more money.

Thank you for your post, as always, another interesting read.