Grocery prices haven’t dropped the way many people expected. Even as inflation reports show signs of cooling, weekly shopping totals still feel heavier. That disconnect is something many households are quietly noticing.
Slowing inflation doesn’t mean prices fall
When inflation slows, it means prices are rising more slowly, not that they are going down. Once prices rise, they tend to stay there unless something forces them lower. For groceries, that rarely happens.
Product sizes changed without much notice
Many shoppers note that familiar items no longer last as long as they used to. Smaller package sizes and subtle changes in quantity can make the total cost appear higher, even if the price tag remains similar.
Why do people notice it more now?
With tighter budgets, people track spending more closely. Small increases that once blended into the background now stand out week to week.
For many shoppers, the frustration isn’t about reports or charts. It’s about how everyday routines feel different at checkout.