Seriously, there's no way they didn't choose that shit on purpose.
Yea I can see this being an extension of some data driven bullshit more than a dog whistle.
"People think 14.99 is less than 15. Wait now people recognize that as the same let's go to 14.89 then people will see its not just a cent off. Wait the data says people reaction to the number 9 is an extension of the original trick better go down to 14.88."
Not saying it's definitive but seems more likely than trying to appeal to the festive fascist demographic.