Inflation eased a bit at the grocery store in January. The ConsumerAffairs Datasembly Shopping Cart Index, based on 25 commonly purchased grocery items, rose just $0.67 from December.
But the Index was up $5.52 over January 2023. That's an annual increase of 3.6%.
Many grocery items didn't change much at all. Most of the increase can be traced to just three items.
The price of a 2-liter bottle of cola rose from $2.87 in December to $3.11 in January. It was $2.72 in January 2023.
A 30 oz. jar of mayonnaise cost $5.85 in December -- and in January 2023 -- but sold for $6.10 last month.
The price of a 16.3 oz. jar of peanut butter cost $3.31 in December but rose to $4.02 in January -- a 2.1% increase in just one month.
Meanwhile, the price of some items continued to fall. A 16 oz. package of bacon cost $7.84 last month, down from $8.26 in December. The price of a 12 oz. package of whole bean coffee last month was $12.56, down from $12.91 in December. It's down 1.2% from January 2023.
The Shopping Cart Index
| Product | Jan. 2023 | Dec. 2023 | Jan. 2024 |
| Penne Pasta 16 oz. | $1.97 | $1.93 | $1.92 |
| Select-a-size paper towels | $21.34 | $21.57 | $21.49 |
| White Albacore tuna in water 5oz. | $2.32 | $2.26 | $2.26 |
| Chicken noodle soup 10.75 oz. | $1.40 | $1.42 | $1.42 |
| Cola 2-liter bottle | $2.72 | $2.87 | $3.11 |
| Whole milk half-gallon | $2.73 | $2.73 | $2.73 |
| Whole bean coffee 12 oz. | $14.41 | $12.91 | $12.56 |
| Organic eggs one dozen | $3.53 | $5.36 | $5.45 |
| Waffles 10 ct. 12.3 oz. | $3.12 | $3.17 | $3.18 |
| Frosted donuts 8 ct. | $5.25 | $5.27 | $5.28 |
| Tomato ketchup 20 oz. | $3.46 | $3.84 | $3.80 |
| Mayonnaise 30 oz. | $5.85 | $5.85 | $6.10 |
| Honey Nut cereal 18.8 oz. | $5.31 | $5.56 | $5.56 |
| American cheese single 24 ct. | $5.52 | $5.49 | $5.49 |
| Salted butter 1 lb. | $6.09 | $6.43 | $6.32 |
| Classic potato chips 8 oz. bag | $3.90 | $4.13 | $4.13 |
| Honey wheat bread 20 oz. | $3.49 | $3.79 | $3.79 |
| Cookies 14.3 oz. | $4.67 | $7.04 | $6.91 |
| Bacon 16 oz. | $8.44 | $8.26 | $7.84 |
| Liquid dish detergent 46 oz. | $5.57 | $5.59 | $5.59 |
| Spring water 16.9 oz. 32 ct. | $7.57 | $7.65 | $7.67 |
| 1000 sheet toilet paper 12 ct. | $12.27 | $12.29 | $12.74 |
| Peanut butter 16.3 oz. | $2.97 | $3.31 | $4.02 |
| White rice 32 oz. | $5.14 | $5.19 | $5.20 |
| Laundry detergent 96 oz. | $13.13 | $13.07 | $13.09 |
| Cart Totals | $152.13 | $156.98 | $157.65 |
Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images
Posted: 2024-02-12 12:10:04
