After leveling off in July, the ConsumerAffairs Datasembly Shopping Cart Index spiked in August, largely due to a big price increase in one product.
The Index, which tracks the prices of 25 commonly purchased grocery items, rose only a few cents in July. But in August, the cost of those 25 items increased by $2.69 over July, a one-month increase of 1.7%
Compared to August 2023, that shopping cart cost an extra $4.88, an increase of 3.1%. The data show the fight to tame inflation at the grocery store may be far from over.
That said, one particular item caused much of the damage. A 14.3 oz. package of cookies cost $5.14 in July, but surged to $8.98 in August, a one-month increase of 74%. The year-over-year increase was a staggering 92%.
As in July, the prices of many items in the shopping cart remained the same. But the price of a 12 oz. bag of whole bean coffee went from $11.83 in July to $12.43 last month. Forecasts call for coffee prices to keep rising.
A few prices went down last month. The cost of a dozen organic eggs dropped by 20 cents while a 20 0z. loaf of honey wheat bread was 40 cents cheaper in August.
The August Shopping Cart Index
| Product | Aug 2023 | July 2024 | Aug 2024 |
| Penne Pasta 16 oz. | $1.97 | $1.96 | $1.92 |
| Select-a-size paper towels | $21.79 | $21.32 | $22.99 |
| White Albacore tuna in water 5oz. | $2.22 | $2.26 | $2.04 |
| Chicken noodle soup 10.75 oz. | $1.84 | $1.43 | $1.32 |
| Cola 2-liter bottle | $2.81 | $2.89 | $2.85 |
| Whole milk half-gallon | $2.64 | $2.73 | $2.67 |
| Whole bean coffee 12 oz. | $15.39 | $11.83 | $12.43 |
| Organic eggs one dozen | $4.88 | $5.61 | $5.41 |
| Waffles 10 ct. 12.3 oz. | $3.11 | $3.29 | $3.26 |
| Frosted donuts 8 ct. | $5.25 | $5.18 | $5.07 |
| Tomato ketchup 20 oz. | $3.87 | $3.86 | $4.00 |
| Mayonnaise 30 oz. | $5.84 | $6.32 | $6.25 |
| Honey Nut cereal 18.8 oz. | $5.66 | $5.57 | $5.46 |
| American cheese single 24 ct. | $5.47 | $5.50 | $5.48 |
| Salted butter 1 lb. | $5.66 | $6.21 | $6.58 |
| Classic potato chips 8 oz. bag | $4.14 | $3.73 | $3.78 |
| Honey wheat bread 20 oz. | $3.79 | $3.69 | $3.29 |
| Cookies 14.3 oz. | $4.67 | $5.14 | $8.98 |
| Bacon 16 oz. | $7.00 | $8.30 | $7.59 |
| Liquid dish detergent 46 oz. | $5.57 | $5.58 | $5.58 |
| Spring water 16.9 oz. 32 ct. | $7.51 | $7.69 | $7.56 |
| 1000 sheet toilet paper 12 ct. | $12.80 | $12.27 | $12.66 |
| Peanut butter 16.3 oz. | $3.32 | $3.27 | $3.13 |
| White rice 32 oz. | $5.36 | $4.87 | $5.18 |
| Laundry detergent 96 oz. | $13.38 | $13.04 | $13.08 |
| Cart Totals | $155.87 | $153.68 | $158.56 |