Prices are rising for many Americans, with 65% of consumers saying the increases are outpacing their income, according to a J.D. Power survey of 4,000 U.S. adults conducted in February 2026.
Recent inflation data adds to that pressure, with the annual rate rising from 2.4% in February to 3.3% in March, according to consumer price index data released Friday. The increase was driven largely by a surge in energy costs as gasoline prices spiked amid the Iran war. Gasoline prices rose 21.2% in March, accounting for nearly three-quarters of the overall increase, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Things also may be spoiling faster due to grocery stores chronically understaffing too save money (read: 🤑 📈).
A lot more spoilage happens when employees don’t have time to properly sort and manage inventory.
I was in the store about 30 minutes and these had been out prior to me getting there, and were still out when I left. Never saw an employee interact with the pile. I squeezed the Tillamook ice cream container on the corner and it was significantly melted. Kind of hoping this was for disposal and not sale.