If grocery shoppers avoided just a few items last month, they likely saved money. But if they stocked up on white rice, peanut butter and frosted donuts, they paid a lot more.
The February ConsumerAffairs Datasembly Shopping Cart Index rose from $157.65 in January to $161.19 in February, an increase of 0.02%. Three items accounted for most of the rise.
The price of peanut butter surged 33%, frosted donuts cost 20% more while white rice prices rose 17.3%. Datasembly collects retail grocery price data in real time.
But prices of other grocery items have begun to fall. Shoppers paid less for whole bean coffee, salted butter, potato chips and bacon.
The FebruaryShopping Cart Index
| Product | Feb. 2023 | Jan. 2024 | Feb. 2024 |
| Penne Pasta 16 oz. | $1.98 | $1.92 | $1.92 |
| Select-a-size paper towels | $21.34 | $21.49 | $21.49 |
| White Albacore tuna in water 5oz. | $2.26 | $2.26 | $2.26 |
| Chicken noodle soup 10.75 oz. | $1.40 | $1.42 | $1.81 |
| Cola 2-liter bottle | $2.91 | $3.11 | $2.89 |
| Whole milk half-gallon | $2.73 | $2.73 | $2.73 |
| Whole bean coffee 12 oz. | $14.20 | $12.56 | $12.46 |
| Organic eggs one dozen | $6.36 | $5.45 | $5.45 |
| Waffles 10 ct. 12.3 oz. | $3.14 | $3.18 | $3.24 |
| Frosted donuts 8 ct. | $5.28 | $5.28 | $6.37 |
| Tomato ketchup 20 oz. | $3.80 | $3.80 | $3.79 |
| Mayonnaise 30 oz. | $6.10 | $6.10 | $6.30 |
| Honey Nut cereal 18.8 oz. | $5.33 | $5.56 | $5.55 |
| American cheese single 24 ct. | $5.54 | $5.49 | $5.48 |
| Salted butter 1 lb. | $6.01 | $6.32 | $5.94 |
| Classic potato chips 8 oz. bag | $3.93 | $4.13 | $3.90 |
| Honey wheat bread 20 oz. | $3.49 | $3.79 | $3.79 |
| Cookies 14.3 oz. | $4.56 | $6.91 | $7.93 |
| Bacon 16 oz. | $7.85 | $7.84 | $7.57 |
| Liquid dish detergent 46 oz. | $5.59 | $5.59 | $5.59 |
| Spring water 16.9 oz. 32 ct. | $7.52 | $7.67 | $7.67 |
| 1000 sheet toilet paper 12 ct. | $12.22 | $12.74 | $12.27 |
| Peanut butter 16.3 oz. | $2.97 | $4.02 | $5.35 |
| White rice 32 oz. | $5.15 | $5.20 | $6.10 |
| Laundry detergent 96 oz. | $13.10 | $13.09 | $13.09 |
| Cart Totals | $154.68 | $157.65 | $161.19 |
Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images
Posted: 2024-03-13 14:43:35
