American shoppers are buying fewer groceries: Analysis
American shoppers are buying fewer groceries: Analysis
Alicia Nieves Fri, July 17, 2026 at 1:16 PM UTC
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(NewsNation) — More Americans are trimming the fat from their grocery bills as rising costs are squeezing budgets.
A new report by Bain & Company shows many people are cutting back on groceries as they look for ways to save money.
Shoppers are buying fewer items they need at grocery stores. Sales fell about 2% in June compared to a year ago. And that’s in part due to the rising costs and pricing pressures.
But other factors include a drop in participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP, after the Trump administration changed the rules for who could access those benefits.
Over a third of Americans use credit card rewards for essentials
Gas prices are up at least 20% across the country since the start of the war with Iran. The national average for a gallon of gas is $3.98.
Grocery prices have been rising anywhere from 2% to 3% year over year, which has been persistent for the last seven years.
In terms of how people are dealing with this, people are buying less. Others are turning to cheaper brands, looking for sales and coupons, and buying in bulk.
Stores like Walmart and Kroger have announced summer price cuts in hopes of bringing shoppers back to the aisles.
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Source: “AOL Money”
