Viewpoints Explained: Inside The New Grocery Budget Squeeze

Across grocery aisles, the American shopping cart is shrinking. After years of steady food inflation, more adults are simply buying less. A shift some analysts have started calling the half-cart trend.

An AP Norc Poll released in august found that 53 percent of adults polled say grocery costs are now a major source of stress in their life. And this outlook is changing habits. Almost 90 percent of polled consumers told Lendingtree they’ve adjusted how they shop by buying more store brands, sticking more firmly to their lists, and paying closer attention to price tags and weekly sales.

In response, more big-box stores are also adapting. Chains like Kroger and Walmart report stronger sales on their store-brand lines and are expanding bulk discounts and loyalty programs to keep shoppers coming back. At the same time, purchases of premium or impulse categories like snacks, desserts, and ready-to-eat meals have slightly fallen. A February 2025 report by Nielsen IQ found that 42 percent of polled shoppers are spending less on snacks and drinks, reflecting a broader pullback on extra items as prices remain above average.

And this shift isn’t just about consumer preferences and spending habits. It points to something larger happening in the economy. The reality is that a lot of Americans still feel uncertain about job stability, unexpected price hikes, the political climate and the possibility of a potential recession in the next year or two. Only time will tell if consumer confidence rebounds and the fun, extra items make their way back onto the grocery list.

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