Your weekly trip to the grocery store has probably changed a bit over the past several years.
Maybe you’ve noticed a new array of novel foods and flavors on offer, as trendy offerings like plant-based meat, functional beverages, and healthier alternatives get more popular.
Related: Iconic retail chain begins going-out-of-business sales
Perhaps you’ve paid for your goods in a new way, too. More stores are offering new ways to pay, whether you prepay online and drive up to collect your items from the comfort of your car or check out using a buy now, pay later service.
You may also have noticed an uptick in private labels, or owned brands, at your favorite store. More grocery stores are introducing more of their own in-house, generic labels as a way to save customers money.
Some grocery chains have struggled to connect with consumers.
Image source: ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images
Grocery stores are changing
Which brings us to the topic of money.
One thing is probably more likely than anything else. You’ve probably looked for deals at your local grocery store.
The latest data from the Consumer Price Index (CPI) found that prices rose 0.2% for the month of February. For comparison, they rose 0.5% in January.
For the year, inflation increased by 2.8%, a slightly better-than-expected figure.
More closures:
Another struggling mall retail chain closing more storesStruggling supermarket chain closes more locationsPopular bank closing dozens of branches (locations revealed)
Here’s a look at how several goods and services changed over February:
Food: increased 0.2%Energy: increased 0.2%Electricity: increased 1.0%New vehicles: decreased 0.1%Used vehicles: increased 0.9%Apparel: increased 0.6%Shelter: increased 0.3%Transportation: decreased 0.8%Medical care services: increased 0.3%
“Driven primarily by a 10.4% increase in the index for eggs, the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 1.6% in February. The beef index also increased over the month, rising 2.4%. The index for cereals and bakery products rose 0.4% in February, after falling 0.4% in January,” the CPI found.
Winn-Dixie closing more locations
And now, a popular southern grocery chain is closing stores after a bout of underperformance.
Winn-Dixie announced it will close four locations in Alabama over the next couple of months.
The closures will take place across three urban areas. They are:
6300 Grelot Road in Mobile5440 Hwy 90 West in Mobile3952 U.S. 80 in Phenix City3925 Crosshaven Drive in Vestavia Hills
The closures, expected in April and May, are part of a larger cost-cutting effort.
The decision “aligns with our ongoing efforts to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of our business,” the company said in a statement.
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