grocery stores Archives

When Foxtrot and Dom's grocery stores closed, local vendors were left scrambling

by Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

May 21, 2024

Hundreds of vendors were caught off guard when Outfox Hospitality abruptly shut down stores in Illinois, Texas and the Washington, D.C., area.

Justin Doggett, owner of cold brew company Kyoto Black, fills a pouch with coffee. Doggett is one of dozens of local vendors affected by the closings of Foxtrot and Dom's stores in late April.

Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

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Why are bananas so cheap?

by Janet Nguyen

Jun 23, 2023

They’re less expensive than other grocery staples, including tomatoes. But they were once considered a luxury item, like caviar.

Bananas are one of the cheapest items at the grocery store, but they used to be considered a delicacy.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Rural towns fear Kroger-Albertsons merger will close stores and raise prices

by Matt Bloom

May 2, 2023

The companies’ plans have drawn skepticism from trade unions, consumer advocate groups and Colorado's attorney general.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser speaks during a town hall meeting in Cañon City about the planned merger of Kroger and Albertsons. He said he may challenge the deal in court.

Matt Bloom/CPR News

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Grocery inflation cools while restaurant prices continue to rise

by Samantha Fields

Apr 12, 2023

Because a restaurant tab pays for more than just the food on the table.

Rising wages are the main reason restaurants are increasing prices. Many eateries have boosted pay, hoping to attract and retain staff.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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"New smaller size, same great price!" The products we buy are shrinking, and so is the value.

by Janet Nguyen

Mar 1, 2023

Less of a good thing: “Marketplace” listeners tell us about products they've seen that have undergone "shrinkflation."

At Dollar Tree, packages of Hampton Farms peanuts have decreased from 1 pound to 8 ounces. Many companies are dealing with inflation by recalculating price versus quantity.

Courtesy of Percy Wilson

Will “wonky” fruit and vegetables help alleviate the U.K.’s cost of living crisis?

by Stephen Beard

Nov 23, 2022

Historically, British supermarkets have rejected all imperfect produce, but that’s changing fast under pressure from rising food prices.

Ugly produce sales have been on the rise as the cost of living in the U.K. gets more expensive.

Mychele Daniau/AFP via Getty Images

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How would a Kroger-Albertsons merger change grocery prices?

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Oct 14, 2022

Kroger would become a bigger competitor against giants like Walmart, giving it more bargaining power over suppliers.

Though Kroger recently announced plans to buy Albertsons, it's unclear what that would mean for customers' grocery bills.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

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How store brands went from shamed to chic

by Kristin Schwab

Aug 17, 2022

Once seen as low quality and unattractive, generics have undergone a makeover to private-label "exclusive."

"Often the consumers don’t think of the Trader Joe's private label as a private label," says Dartmouth professor Kusum Ailawadi. "They think of it as exclusive products that I can’t find anywhere."

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

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I've Always Wondered ...

Why aren't mulberries sold at grocery stores?

by Janet Nguyen

Jul 22, 2022

The trees are easy to grow, but the berries are fragile and have a shorter shelf life compared to other fruits.

Mulberries are ripe when they fall off the tree.

altanakin/iStock/Getty Images Plus

It's hard to keep costs down at the supermarket, thanks to store design and our emotions

by Marielle Segarra

Jul 19, 2022

Grocery stores play on our sense of nostalgia with older music, and strategically placed items may trigger impulse buys, experts say.

Ever notice the nostalgic music playing in grocery stores? That's often intentional — putting customers in a good mood, which might encourage them to buy more.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

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Grocery stores

When Foxtrot and Dom's grocery stores closed, local vendors were left scrambling

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Why are bananas so cheap?

Rural towns fear Kroger-Albertsons merger will close stores and raise prices

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Grocery inflation cools while restaurant prices continue to rise

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"New smaller size, same great price!" The products we buy are shrinking, and so is the value.

Will “wonky” fruit and vegetables help alleviate the U.K.’s cost of living crisis?

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How would a Kroger-Albertsons merger change grocery prices?

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For public good, not for profit.

How store brands went from shamed to chic

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Why aren't mulberries sold at grocery stores?

It's hard to keep costs down at the supermarket, thanks to store design and our emotions

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