Anonymous
09/26/2023 14:19
Subject: Food prices
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Now that the supply chain is not as strained as it was 6 months ago, why aren't the food prices coming down? A pack of mushrooms $5.99, cucumber $2.99 each, a pack of strawberries $6 and so on.
Who regulates the prices and how does this whole thing work?
If you’re still buying at the higher price, why would the store sell them for less?
Pretty much this.
Grocery stores and other distributors realized that consumers are simply blaming “inflation” and still buying so they will keep inching prices up until consumers stop. They also have greatly benefitted from new consumer spending habits that developed during the pandemic.
1. Stocking more food than you need or normally had on hand before the pandemic. Chances are if you added a deep freezer, second refrigerator or turned a closet into an extra pantry during COVID lockdown, you are still keeping those areas at least 75% full.
2. Spending a higher portion of your budget on food.
3. Not shopping around. This is a big one. To reduce COVID exposure, people stopped going to multiple stores to get products for less. This still hasn’t come back and some stores like Safeway are crazy deceptive about their sales. They’ll raise the price by $3 the prior week and offer it on sale for $2 the next week. Consumer thinks they are saving $2 not paying an extra $1.
The best way to bring prices down is to be only as much as you need, and shop around carefully.
One big change I made post-Covid was to stop buying takeout. So my grocery bills are just going to be higher. Yes, the individual item I'm paying for also costs more, but I also learned how to cook during Covid so I buy more "from scratch" items than prepared foods -- so overall, my food bills are actually less than they would be if I had stuck with my pre-Covid habits.
Anonymous
09/26/2023 14:13
Subject: Food prices
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It’s not just food, I just paid $9+ for a single tube of toothpaste at Giant.
Who forced you to?
Err, my dentist?
Switch dentists. My dentist gives me enough free samples to last a year.
Anonymous
09/26/2023 14:11
Subject: Food prices
Anonymous wrote:Corporations are making record profits. Why would they stop?
We've addressed this in other threads. High energy prices = high direct fuel costs for farmers, transport and processors, along with high prices for fertilizer and plastic packaging. Shortage of willing workers = higher wages for farm hands, processors and grocery store staff. Labor shortage and high costs led to farmers taking acreage out of production or reducing the size of herds = smaller supply and higher prices.
Anonymous
09/26/2023 13:37
Subject: Food prices
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Where are you shopping. I pay half that.
Wholefoods since I am used to going to that store so much. I am open to other options. Where do you grocery shop?
OMG literally anywhere else is cheaper.
Not always true, especially if you price check the 365 store brand, and are comparing like - for - like.
Also, with WF, don’t overpay for conventional fruit — vs organic.
PP, I shop at Whole Foods for frozen fruits and vegetables, fresh fruit and veggies on sale, most proteins (chicken, salmon, ground turkey, pork chops), spices, chips and snacks, spices, and basics like oatmeal, peanut butter, and things I buy because it’s convenient. Oh, and trash bags.
I shop at a Trader Joe’s for dried fruit and nuts, CHEESE!, eggs, dairy, breads, olive spread, tinned fish, vanilla, seasoning mixes, and frozen entrees and treats.
I shop at Amazon Fresh for toilet paper, paper towels, lettuce, and staples like oatmeal.
I shop at Giant for the sales.
I usually go to TJs a couple of times a month, Amazon Fresh maybe once a month, and WF much more frequently for the fresh stuff.
Anonymous
09/26/2023 13:19
Subject: Food prices
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Now that the supply chain is not as strained as it was 6 months ago, why aren't the food prices coming down? A pack of mushrooms $5.99, cucumber $2.99 each, a pack of strawberries $6 and so on.
Who regulates the prices and how does this whole thing work?
If you’re still buying at the higher price, why would the store sell them for less?
Pretty much this.
Grocery stores and other distributors realized that consumers are simply blaming “inflation” and still buying so they will keep inching prices up until consumers stop. They also have greatly benefitted from new consumer spending habits that developed during the pandemic.
1. Stocking more food than you need or normally had on hand before the pandemic. Chances are if you added a deep freezer, second refrigerator or turned a closet into an extra pantry during COVID lockdown, you are still keeping those areas at least 75% full.
2. Spending a higher portion of your budget on food.
3. Not shopping around. This is a big one. To reduce COVID exposure, people stopped going to multiple stores to get products for less. This still hasn’t come back and some stores like Safeway are crazy deceptive about their sales. They’ll raise the price by $3 the prior week and offer it on sale for $2 the next week. Consumer thinks they are saving $2 not paying an extra $1.
The best way to bring prices down is to be only as much as you need, and shop around carefully.
Anonymous
09/26/2023 12:59
Subject: Food prices
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It’s not just food, I just paid $9+ for a single tube of toothpaste at Giant.
So try getting your toothpaste at Rodman’s.
I wait for sales on toothpaste and stock up. Unfortunately my family likes those fancy non-tube ones.
^^I should add that I will shop around and switch brands if it comes down to it. I'm speaking with my dollars as we all should.
Anonymous
09/26/2023 12:58
Subject: Food prices
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It’s not just food, I just paid $9+ for a single tube of toothpaste at Giant.
So try getting your toothpaste at Rodman’s.
I wait for sales on toothpaste and stock up. Unfortunately my family likes those fancy non-tube ones.
Anonymous
09/26/2023 12:55
Subject: Food prices
I’m growing my own veggies. They only cost me $30 (seeds and other supplies).
Anonymous
09/26/2023 08:48
Subject: Food prices
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Where are you shopping. I pay half that.
Wholefoods since I am used to going to that store so much. I am open to other options. Where do you grocery shop?
OMG literally anywhere else is cheaper.
I cost compare between HT and WF and WF wins out more than you would expect.
Anonymous
09/26/2023 08:33
Subject: Food prices
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It’s not just food, I just paid $9+ for a single tube of toothpaste at Giant.
Who forced you to?
Err, my dentist?
Anonymous
09/25/2023 22:47
Subject: Food prices
Anonymous wrote:It’s not just food, I just paid $9+ for a single tube of toothpaste at Giant.
Who forced you to?
Anonymous
09/25/2023 21:59
Subject: Food prices
Anonymous wrote:It’s not just food, I just paid $9+ for a single tube of toothpaste at Giant.
So try getting your toothpaste at Rodman’s.
Anonymous
09/25/2023 21:24
Subject: Food prices
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Where are you shopping. I pay half that.
Wholefoods since I am used to going to that store so much. I am open to other options. Where do you grocery shop?
OMG literally anywhere else is cheaper.
Anonymous
09/25/2023 21:19
Subject: Food prices
It’s not just food, I just paid $9+ for a single tube of toothpaste at Giant.
Anonymous
09/25/2023 17:42
Subject: Food prices
Anonymous wrote:Cucumbers are .99 cents at Harris Teeter. You should start shopping somewhere else.
Yep. Harris Teeter is less expensive than that OP, if you don't buy organic.