Shopping Smarter: How Prices Have Shifted in the Past Year

Prices at Walmart have been on a rollercoaster ride, affecting shoppers like Greg Reyes and his wife. They've had to cut back on treats like ice cream due to rising costs. The U. S. saw a 2. 7% increase in the cost of living last year, driven by factors like tariffs and extreme weather. These changes are clearly visible in the shopping carts of Americans. NPR's recent check of 114 items at a Walmart store revealed that prices have gone up by an average of 5%. Almost half of the items, including shrimp, Oreo cookies, and Coca-Cola, became more expensive. Some of these price hikes are linked to tariffs on goods from China and Vietnam, while others are due to weather-related issues affecting crops like cacao and coffee beans. On the brighter side, some items, such as eggs, milk, and Cheerios, have become cheaper. Walmart has also introduced more discounts to attract budget-conscious shoppers. However, it's not all good news. Some products have shrunk in size while keeping the same price, a trick known as shrinkflation. Tide laundry detergent is one example, with its bottle size decreasing over the years.The impact of tariffs is evident in the aisles. Items like paper folders from China and swai fish fillets from Vietnam have seen significant price jumps. Companies like Dole and Reynolds Wrap have cited tariffs and weather-related crop shortages as reasons for the price increases. Climate change has also played a role in driving up prices. Coffee and chocolate, for instance, have been affected by erratic rainfall patterns and droughts. The beef supply in the U. S. is at its lowest in decades, partly due to drought, which has driven cattle prices to record highs. Despite these challenges, some companies are taking steps to ease the burden on consumers. PepsiCo and General Mills have announced plans to lower prices on some of their products. Walmart has also increased the number of discounts, with about 2, 000 of them becoming permanent price cuts.