Grocery Prices Slow Down, Supermarkets Pull Back on Deals
It turns out the bubble that was inflating grocery costs has popped. Supermarkets are offering fewer bargains this month, so the price climb slowed down like a hesitant rabbit.
What Kantar’s Retail Analyst Is Saying
- Inflation’s New Focus: With the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) jacking up unexpectedly earlier this month, everyone’s attention is once again on how fast prices are rising.
- Geopolitics vs. In‑Store War: People kept worrying about the Red Sea shipping crisis. But the real drama in the aisles is the showdown between supermarkets trying to claim the best value crown, not global turmoil.
- Deals on the Downward Track: Retailers have pulled back on promotions as we entered the new year, meaning the inflation slide has been less sharp than expected.
- Health’s Quiet Resurgence: Health-centered products keep getting top baggage – but the spike is mild compared to previous years. The “January health kick” feels less like a sprint and more like a steady jog.
Health‑Related Purchase Patterns
People are buying the typical January “health‑kick” goodies all year round now.
In 2023, 9% of annual own‑label plant‑based sales happened in January, down from 11% in 2020. The trend shows a calmer rush, perhaps because folks have gotten over the New Year gym hype.
So while the market’s offerings have slackened, you can still spot a good deal here or there—just keep an eye on the counters, not the headlines.
