How high grocery prices are reshaping the way America shops

Shoppers are spending more and getting less

Of those U.S. grocery shoppers, nearly 84% report spending more on groceries than a year ago, with 25% saying they’re spending over $100 more per week. Unsurprisingly, 89% are worried prices will continue to rise over the next six months, and over half say the cost of groceries is a significant source of stress.

"We have a grocery budget… but we’re overspending every month," one person explained. "Even though we’re trying to be disciplined, the cost of things is just so high."​

This growing frustration is driving consumers to rethink how—and where—they shop.

Changing grocery habits in a time of inflation

The majority of survey respondents (77%) say they’ve adjusted their grocery habits in response to rising prices. For many, that means cutting back on essentials like meat, dairy, and eggs. Others are dropping non-essentials like soda, snacks, and frozen meals to make room in the budget for basics.

"I'm buying less fast food and junk food… more core ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, onions," said one shopper​. Another shared, "I feel like I spend a lot and get so little in return."​

Top items shoppers are cutting back on:

• Eggs and dairy

• Meat and fish

• Prepackaged or ready-to-eat meals

• Snacks, desserts, and soda

• Name-brand items

Remote video URL

Searching for savings: the rise of strategic shopping

High grocery costs have turned everyday shopping into a tactical mission. While most people still do the bulk of their shopping at national chains like Kroger or Safeway, 68% now regularly visit discount retailers like Aldi and Walmart to stretch their dollars.

"I loathe having to go to more than one store, but I will," said one person. "If Aldi has the eggs and almond milk cheaper, I’ll go there first before doing the rest at Kroger."​

The desire to save is also influencing when and how people shop. Nearly half of survey respondents want grocery stores to do a better job of highlighting sales and promotions, both in-store and online. And 62% say digital deal alerts, emails, and personalized coupons are becoming more important to their shopping routines.

Feeling gouged: shopper frustration with rising prices

Consumers aren't just reacting to high prices—they're questioning them. A striking 84% of survey participants believe grocery stores are engaging in price gouging, and 66% said price hikes are hitting those on fixed incomes the hardest.

"It’s hard. You get a few things, and it’s $100," one person noted. ​

What grocery stores can do to regain trust

The takeaway for retailers is simple: consumers want help. They’re not just looking for discounts—they’re asking for empathy, transparency, and options that reflect real household needs.

Here are key steps grocers can take:

• Expand affordable store brands: Private-label products help shoppers save without sacrificing essentials.

• Improve promotion visibility: Make deals easier to spot in-store and online.

• Offer flexible loyalty rewards: Points and rebates can help regular shoppers offset inflation.

• Be transparent: Open communication about costs and pricing builds trust.

In a climate where even banana bread prompts second thoughts, stores that treat shoppers like partners—rather than profit centers—will earn lasting loyalty.

The emotional toll of grocery inflation

Beyond budgets and receipts, there's an emotional weight to rising food costs. Survey results revealed that more than half of respondents feel increased stress when grocery shopping, and many described the experience as “bleak,” “frustrating,” or even “defeating.”

"It’s difficult," one shopper said. "We're trying to be disciplined, but we’re always overspending."​

Another echoed the broader emotional fatigue: "Prices were high a year ago. They’re high now. It’s just too expensive for me."

​

Eggs as a luxury: the inflation paradox

Eggs have become a symbol of how inflation touches even the simplest parts of life. What was once a staple for Sunday breakfasts, quick lunches, or homemade desserts is now something people plan for, ration, or avoid entirely.

As one shopper reported, "I’m buying eggs once a month. Just using them for meals that really need them."​

And for others, the cost of eggs hasn’t changed their buying habits—but it has forced difficult trade-offs: "We still buy eggs, but I’ve cut back on junk food to make up for it."

Remote video URL

​

What comes next?

As grocery inflation continues to weigh on household finances, the message from shoppers is clear: they want affordable options, clearer communication, and greater empathy from retailers. While no single solution will solve the problem, even small steps can help rebuild trust.

At the heart of it all is a shared desire for fairness—something that resonates across incomes, regions, and political lines.