Inflation remains a factor impacting consumers’ wallets but some grocery prices have stabilized, albeit at higher levels.
The April ConsumerAffairs Datasembly Shopping Cart Index, which tracks the price movement of 25 commonly-purchased grocery items fell to $156.76 from $160.99 in March – a decline of 2.6%. Datasembly tracks grocery prices in real-time at thousands of grocery stores.
A big drop in the price of peanut butter, coffee and cookies accounted for most of the decline. Compared to April 2023, the current Shopping Cart Index is only $1.07 higher.
A number of grocery items in the Index are showing price stability. The price of pasta, paper towels, soda, milk, honey nut cereal, and honey wheat bread was the same in April as it was in May. About the only item increasing in price was organic eggs, gaining 14 cents over March.
The Labor Department releases the April Consumer Price Index on May 15, which will provide a comprehensive look at food prices.
The April Shopping Cart Index
Product | Apr. 2023 | Mar. 2024 | Apr. 2024 |
Penne Pasta 16 oz. | $1.98 | $1.93 | $1.93 |
Select-a-size paper towels | $23.99 | $23.99 | $23.99 |
White Albacore tuna in water 5oz. | $2.25 | $2.26 | $2.27 |
Chicken noodle soup 10.75 oz. | $1.42 | $1.43 | $1.46 |
Cola 2-liter bottle | $2.90 | $2.89 | $2.89 |
Whole milk half-gallon | $2.73 | $2.73 | $2.73 |
Whole bean coffee 12 oz. | $13.48 | $12.01 | $11.89 |
Organic eggs one dozen | $5.70 | $5.45 | $5.59 |
Waffles 10 ct. 12.3 oz. | $3.21 | $3.27 | $3.30 |
Frosted donuts 8 ct. | $5.24 | $5.36 | $5.31 |
Tomato ketchup 20 oz. | $3.88 | $3.78 | $3.79 |
Mayonnaise 30 oz. | $5.81 | $6.33 | $6.35 |
Honey Nut cereal 18.8 oz. | $5.51 | $5.57 | $5.57 |
American cheese single 24 ct. | $5.51 | $5.49 | $5.50 |
Salted butter 1 lb. | $5.79 | $5.73 | $5.71 |
Classic potato chips 8 oz. bag | $4.13 | $3.93 | $3.95 |
Honey wheat bread 20 oz. | $3.49 | $3.79 | $3.79 |
Cookies 14.3 oz. | $5.02 | $7.92 | $5.41 |
Bacon 16 oz. | $7.08 | $8.12 | $8.25 |
Liquid dish detergent 46 oz. | $5.57 | $5.59 | $5.58 |
Spring water 16.9 oz. 32 ct. | $7.52 | $7.67 | $7.67 |
1000 sheet toilet paper 12 ct. | $12.23 | $12.26 | $12.26 |
Peanut butter 16.3 oz. | $2.97 | $5.31 | $3.32 |
White rice 32 oz. | $5.19 | $5.19 | $5.16 |
Laundry detergent 96 oz. | $13.09 | $13.09 | $13.09 |
Cart Totals | $155.69 | $160.99 | $156.76 |