Inflation increased at the supermarket last month. The October ConsumerAffairs Datasembly Shopping Cart Index rose 1.4% over September. The Index, which tracks the prices of 25 commonly purchased grocery items each month, was up less than 1% over October 2023.
The increase is the result of small price increases on a number of items in the shopping cart and a few items that saw a significant one month jump.
The price of a 14-ounce package of cookies rose $1.85 in one month and is $1.08 more expensive than a year ago. The price of an eight-ounce bag of potato chips rose 15 cents but is 10 cents cheaper than in 2023. A 12-ounce bag of whole-bean coffee went up 80 cents in one month.
A few items went down in price. A package of 32 bottles of spring water cost $7.53 in September but $7.06 last month. A 12-ounce package of bacon cost the same as in September but was 38 cents less than in October 2023.
The October Shopping Cart Index
| Product | Oct. 2023 | Sept. 2024 | Oct. 2024 |
| Penne Pasta 16 oz. | $1.93 | $1.96 | $1.96 |
| Select-a-size paper towels | $20.99 | $20.99 | $20.99 |
| White Albacore tuna in water 5oz. | $2.25 | $2.21 | $2.22 |
| Chicken noodle soup 10.75 oz. | $1.42 | $1.44 | $1.45 |
| Cola 2-liter bottle | $2.87 | $2.91 | $2.91 |
| Whole milk half-gallon | $2.61 | $2.67 | $2.67 |
| Whole bean coffee 12 oz. | $12.73 | $12.00 | $12.80 |
| Organic eggs one dozen | $5.28 | $5.80 | $5.71 |
| Waffles 10 ct. 12.3 oz. | $3.16 | $3.29 | $3.29 |
| Frosted donuts 8 ct. | $5.23 | $5.32 | $5.31 |
| Tomato ketchup 20 oz. | $3.83 | $3.91 | $3.90 |
| Mayonnaise 30 oz. | $5.82 | $6.26 | $6.29 |
| Honey Nut cereal 18.8 oz. | $5.56 | $5.57 | $5.58 |
| American cheese single 24 ct. | $5.43 | $5.52 | $5.46 |
| Salted butter 1 lb. | $6.11 | $6.23 | $6.22 |
| Classic potato chips 8 oz. bag | $4.11 | $3.86 | $4.01 |
| Honey wheat bread 20 oz. | $3.79 | $3.29 | $3.29 |
| Cookies 14.3 oz. | $5.77 | $5.00 | $6.85 |
| Bacon 16 oz. | $8.70 | $8.32 | $8.32 |
| Liquid dish detergent 46 oz. | $5.57 | $5.58 | $5.58 |
| Spring water 16.9 oz. 32 ct. | $7.54 | $7.53 | $7.06 |
| 1000 sheet toilet paper 12 ct. | $12.19 | $12.28 | $12.33 |
| Peanut butter 16.3 oz. | $3.33 | $3.27 | $3.27 |
| White rice 32 oz. | $5.22 | $4.87 | $4.87 |
| Laundry detergent 96 oz. | $13.09 | $13.06 | $13.06 |
| Cart Totals | $154.59 | $153.14 | $155.40 |