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Grocery stores

Grocery prices are high. But is that suspicious?

by Kimberly Adams
Aug 5, 2024
The Federal Trade Commission just announced that the agency would investigate whether companies are inflating grocery prices.
"Grocery prices have been running much higher than average inflation," said Lindsay Owens of the Groundwork Collaborative.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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When Foxtrot and Dom's grocery stores closed, local vendors were left scrambling

by Esther Yoon-Ji Kang
May 21, 2024
Hundreds of vendors were caught off guard when Outfox Hospitality abruptly shut down stores in Illinois, Texas and the Washington, D.C., area.
Justin Doggett, owner of cold brew company Kyoto Black, fills a pouch with coffee. Doggett is one of dozens of local vendors affected by the closings of Foxtrot and Dom's stores in late April.
Esther Yoon-Ji Kang
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why are bananas so cheap?

by Janet Nguyen
Jun 23, 2023
They’re less expensive than other grocery staples, including tomatoes. But they were once considered a luxury item, like caviar.
Bananas are one of the cheapest items at the grocery store, but they used to be considered a delicacy.
SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
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Rural towns fear Kroger-Albertsons merger will close stores and raise prices

by Matt Bloom
May 2, 2023
The companies’ plans have drawn skepticism from trade unions, consumer advocate groups and Colorado's attorney general.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser speaks during a town hall meeting in Cañon City about the planned merger of Kroger and Albertsons. He said he may challenge the deal in court.
Matt Bloom/CPR News
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Grocery inflation cools while restaurant prices continue to rise

by Samantha Fields
Apr 12, 2023
Because a restaurant tab pays for more than just the food on the table.
Rising wages are the main reason restaurants are increasing prices. Many eateries have boosted pay, hoping to attract and retain staff.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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"New smaller size, same great price!" The products we buy are shrinking, and so is the value.

by Janet Nguyen
Mar 1, 2023
Less of a good thing: “Marketplace” listeners tell us about products they've seen that have undergone "shrinkflation."
At Dollar Tree, packages of Hampton Farms peanuts have decreased from 1 pound to 8 ounces. Many companies are dealing with inflation by recalculating price versus quantity.
Courtesy of Percy Wilson
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Will “wonky” fruit and vegetables help alleviate the U.K.’s cost of living crisis?

by Stephen Beard
Nov 23, 2022
Historically, British supermarkets have rejected all imperfect produce, but that’s changing fast under pressure from rising food prices.
Ugly produce sales have been on the rise as the cost of living in the U.K. gets more expensive.
Mychele Daniau/AFP via Getty Images
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How would a Kroger-Albertsons merger change grocery prices?

by Sabri Ben-Achour
Oct 14, 2022
Kroger would become a bigger competitor against giants like Walmart, giving it more bargaining power over suppliers.
Though Kroger recently announced plans to buy Albertsons, it's unclear what that would mean for customers' grocery bills.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
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How store brands went from shamed to chic

by Kristin Schwab
Aug 17, 2022
Once seen as low quality and unattractive, generics have undergone a makeover to private-label "exclusive."
"Often the consumers don’t think of the Trader Joe's private label as a private label," says Dartmouth professor Kusum Ailawadi. "They think of it as exclusive products that I can’t find anywhere."
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why aren't mulberries sold at grocery stores?

by Janet Nguyen
Jul 22, 2022
The trees are easy to grow, but the berries are fragile and have a shorter shelf life compared to other fruits.
Mulberries are ripe when they fall off the tree.
altanakin/iStock/Getty Images Plus
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