By Mike DuBose
The US Bureau of Labor documented food prices have increased 30% since 2020! Contrary to what politicians promised and with few exceptions, the November 2025 Wall Street Journal reported that food prices aren’t coming down! The USDA reported families spend more than 15% of their income on food (Singles $300-$600, Couples $600-$1,000, and Families of four $1,000-$1,700). Expenditures are influenced by age, diet, cooking abilities, shopping habits (conservative versus liberal spenders), and eating out.
Bank of America Research Institute determined one-in-four families (50% seniors) live “paycheck-to-paycheck.” Many are financially struggling with high-rising prices on everything. While in a grocery check-out lane, we painfully listened as a senior widow counted her last coins for her food purchases. She told the cashier, “That’s all I have until my social security check arrives in two weeks.” Those in poverty with fixed-incomes, especially seniors, will cut expenses, like medications, to buy food for survival.
We enjoy helping others and serving the Lord, so our new mission focused on analyzing how to save buying groceries. As university researchers, we wanted to create facts comparing “apples-to-apples” in finding where to shop depending on individual preferences. Based on nationwide research, we identified 21 most popular-selling grocery products. Some included Folgers House Blend Coffee, Dukes Mayonnaise, Honey Nut Cheerios, Gound Beef (80/20), Large Eggs (dozen), Bananas, Lays Classic Potato Chips, Charmin Mega Ultra Toilet Paper, Land-O’Lakes Butter, 2-Pound Bag Apples, Half-Gallon Milk, 5-Poumd Bag Potatoes, etc. We compared pricing using “exact variables” (brands, products, sizes, and weights). We realized consumers wouldn’t select all our listed items. Our theory: “If shoppers save at the lowest-priced stores using our core 21-most-popular-item-process, chances are high they may experience similar savings with other purchases.”
We studied four major South Carolina food chains (Publix, Kroger, Food Lion, and Walmart) which carried similar brands, while offering on-line shopping, pick-up, and delivery. Some sold generics like apples, potatoes, milk, and bananas. In one case, Walmart only offered 3-pounds of apples versus the 2-pound bag we were seeking, so we prorated the price. It was a time-consuming experiment since each store’s products were in unfamiliar places within the facility. To be fair and consistent, all items were calculated based on store’s shelf-labeled “regular price” viewed during on-site visits. Specials, member discounts, Buy-One-Get-One-Free promotions, coupons, and Publix’s 5% Senior Day concessions were excluded. Food prices can vary weekly among store locations, so we collected all our price data within a three-day window in November 2025.
The literature revealed Aldi’s products were the lowest-priced and Trader Joes was mentioned, but both carried off-brands and weren’t used in our comparison examination after visiting the stores. Costco and Sam’s Club surfaced as potential saving-centers, but one must buy in volume and prices weren’t always lower when comparing “unit costs” to other stores.
Publix scored highest on grocery pricing while Walmart was lowest (A difference of $28 or nearly 24% cheaper) based on our 21-item survey, which doesn’t seem significant. However, when you consider families shop about 2 times per week and may buy up to 70 food products weekly, savings could skyrocket!
When higher prices are excluded, Southeastern-based Publix (1,400 employee-owned stores) has many pluses compared to other markets: bright and clean stores; excellent, friendly, and knowledgeable customer service with 40+ staff present during peak hours; and, cited for its fresher produce and meats. Departments include delis, pharmacies, bakeries, and catering, plus Wednesday’s 5% “Senior Discount.” Visiting these stores is a pleasurable experience.
Food Lion is the 7th largest grocery chain with 1,100 stores. It was next-to-the-lowest in pricing, and 2nd in cleanliness.
Walmart stood out not only for its lowest-food prices and 3rd in looks, but it’s also a “one-stop-shop” where consumers can buy wide-ranges of discounted family products. Staff were less familiar with item locations but quickly found them using apps. Walmart supports 5,400 stores and it’s interesting that 90% of Americans live within 10 miles of a Walmart!
Kroger has 2,700 stores in 25 states, 2nd highest on the price chart, provides many services like Publix, and is known for good-quality products. The store we visited placed 4th lowest in appearance with other stores.
The Bottom Line: Our study was simply a snapshot. Grocery prices are constantly changing and while one chain may score high this week, it may drop in food-price-ratings days later. Finding the highest-quality, lowest-priced food products is challenging, but with some work, you can save a bunch! Our next article focuses on specific ways to find the best deals. Stay tuned! You can re-mail Mike at [email protected].
Mike voluntarily authors these articles for 5 newspapers to fulfill his purpose “Creating opportunities to improve lives.” Visit his nonprofit website www.mikedubose.com and register to receive his monthly articles or Daily Thoughts plus free access to his books, including “The Art of Building Great Businesses.” The website includes 100+ published articles he has written on business, travel, and personal topics, in addition to health research with Surb Guram, MD, Allison Cashman, MD, and David Hurst, DMV
