Grocery prices may still seem high but the January ConsumerAffairs Datasembly Shopping Cart Index shows a significant improvement for shoppers over the last 12 months.
The Index, based on 25 commonly purchased grocery items and tracked in real time by Datasembly, is down by 4% from January 2024. The total cost of the items in the cart last month totaled $155.76, compared to $162.26 in January 2024.
Most items in the cart have a lower price than a year ago, or are about the same price. Not surprisingly, eggs are a major exception. Bird flu outbreaks have reduced hen populations are created egg shortages in many areas.
The Index shows the price of a dozen organic eggs in January was $6.90, up from $5.27 a year ago, a nearly 31% increase. Paper towels also cost more but toilet paper costs less.
Meanwhile, the price of a 16-ounce jar of peanut butter is down nearly 28% from last year but the cost of a 20-ounce bottle of ketchup is nearly 10% higher.
January Shopping Cart Index
| Product | January 2024 | January 2025 |
| Penne Pasta 16 oz | $ 2.04 | $ 1.90 |
| Select-a-size paper towels | $ 21.99 | $ 23.99 |
| Solid White Albacore Tuna in water 5oz | $ 2.19 | $ 2.19 |
| Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup 10.75 oz | $ 1.80 | $ 1.56 |
| Cola Bottle 2 liters | $ 2.84 | $ 2.93 |
| Whole Milk Half Gallon | $ 2.16 | $ 2.54 |
| Whole Bean Coffee 12oz | $ 12.93 | $ 12.20 |
| Organic eggs 1 dozen | $ 5.27 | $ 6.90 |
| Waffles 10 count, 12.3 oz | $ 3.11 | $ 3.27 |
| Frosted donuts 8 count | $ 6.49 | $ 4.93 |
| Tomato ketchup 20 oz | $ 3.88 | $ 4.25 |
| Mayonnaise 30 oz | $ 6.38 | $ 6.38 |
| Honey Nut Cereal 18.8oz Family size | $ 6.36 | $ 5.63 |
| American Cheese singles 24 ct | $ 5.82 | $ 5.30 |
| Salted Butter 1 lb | $ 6.19 | $ 6.17 |
| Classic Potato Chips 8 oz bag | $ 3.61 | $ 3.81 |
| Honey Wheat Bread 20 oz | $ 3.79 | $ 3.69 |
| Cookies 14.3oz | $ 7.64 | $ 3.78 |
| Bacon 16 oz | $ 7.69 | $ 7.43 |
| Liquid dish detergent 46 oz | $ 5.57 | $ 5.58 |
| Spring Water 16.9 oz, 32 ct | $ 7.65 | $ 7.11 |
| 1000 sheet toilet paper 12 ct | $ 13.94 | $ 12.79 |
| Peanut Butter 16.3 oz | $ 4.39 | $ 3.17 |
| White rice 32 oz | $ 5.42 | $ 4.95 |
| Laundry detergent 96 oz | $ 13.11 | $ 13.31 |
| Cart Total | $ 162.26 | $ 155.76 |
Email Mark Huffman mhuffman@consumeraffairs.com