Washington: Grocery prices in the United States have risen to levels not seen in the past 50 years, prompting households to significantly change how they shop and what they buy.
Reports say the cost of food purchased for home cooking is now up by as much as 33% compared with the beginning of 2019. As inflation persists, many consumers are skipping favourite items and increasingly buying only after checking and comparing prices.
Shoppers are also relying on mobile apps before visiting supermarkets to identify where prices are lower and what discounts are available. Higher-priced branded products are being replaced by cheaper alternatives as families try to manage budgets.
Beef prices, in particular, are reported to have jumped about 79% compared with 2019. This has led many families to reduce meat purchases, while some have stopped buying it altogether.
Economists say US households are drawing up their own cost-saving plans to cope with the continued rise in prices. Supply disruptions linked to international geopolitical conflicts, along with tariffs on imported essentials such as coffee, fruits and seafood, are cited as key drivers of the price surge.
