GREENSBORO, N.C. — If your grocery bill feels more expensive every time you shop, Consumer Reports says where you buy your food may be making a bigger difference than you realize. New research from CR found that the exact same grocery basket can vary dramatically in price depending on the store.
Most Americans shop at more than one grocery retailer each week, and Consumer Reports analyzed how prices compare across major chains by building baskets filled with common items like packaged foods, produce, and meat. Walmart served as the baseline for comparison.
According to CR’s findings, the difference between the most expensive and least expensive grocery baskets in the same city often exceeded 33 percent for identical items. When warehouse clubs and specialty grocery stores were added to the comparison, the price gaps grew even larger…