Price Hikes Across 10 Popular Grocery Categories in US and Europe Top Overall Rate of Inflation

For the first quarter of 2023, prices in several food and personal care categories topped the overall rate of inflation in the US and Europe, according to the Catalina Shopping Basket Index. To compile its latest economic report, Catalina tapped into its real-time Shopper Intelligence Platform to look at the aggregate price increase of 10 common product categories in the US, UK, Italy, France and Germany compared to the same period in 2022.

“A number of factors have been driving up prices in Europe and the US, including the war in Ukraine, lingering supply chain disruptions and rising aluminum, ingredient, labor and energy costs,” said Sean Murphy, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Catalina. “In response, we’re seeing CPG marketers and retailers place more emphasis on promotions and price incentives and we’re working more closely with them to earn the loyalty of value-conscious shoppers with highly personalized offers.”

Double-Digit Price Hikes Across U.S. and Europe
On average, yogurt prices rose the most in Q1 of 2023, up 18 percent, closely followed by Frozen Food (+17 percent) and Frozen Vegetables (+16 percent). The biggest individual country price jumps posted were for cereal in the US, up 21 percent from a year ago and Deodorant in Germany, which rose 27 percent.

Q1 Inflation Rate Trends Higher in Certain Categories
The Catalina Shopping Basket Index shows prices for these 10 common grocery items was at least twice the inflation rate for food at home reported by their respective governments. For all countries surveyed, food prices rose on average 1 percent from Q3 2022 but are now stabilizing in Italy (6 percent), France and Germany, both 5 percent. UK food prices have continued to rise to 7 percent, with the US dropping slightly from 7.4 percent in Q4 2022 to 7.2 percent in Q1 2023.

US Inflation Rate for Groceries Slows in Q1
Inflation is hitting shopping baskets unevenly in the US. Cereal and yogurt had the biggest jumps, both up 21 percent from a year ago. But the rate of inflation is slowing across categories, when compared with Q3 2022. All categories fluctuated no more than two percentage points, an indicator that inflation continues to slow in the US. But the Catalina Shopping Basket Index, which averages +16 percent, is higher than the Consumer Price Index’s +7 percent Q1 inflation rate for food at home.

“With the worldwide increase in inflation starting back in mid-2021, our insights about traditionally price-sensitive and value-seeking shoppers apply to even more consumers now. We continue to advise our customers that these challenging economic times are an opportunity for brands to fine-tune their omni-channel approach to deliver relevant offers and valuable incentives to help shoppers make the most of their dollars,” said Murphy.