A recent survey of grocery prices at Aldi stores in various US counties has found that prices have increased, with some areas experiencing rises of over 13% since March.
What happened
The survey, conducted by Mair Strategies LLC, tracked the price of a basic weekly shopping basket for a family of four at Aldi stores in seven counties, including Maricopa County, AZ, and Clark County, NV. The basket contained a range of items, including milk, eggs, cheese, and chicken nuggets.
The survey found that prices were lower in these counties compared to other areas, but had increased since March, with some areas experiencing significant rises. The price of chicken noodle soup, for example, jumped by about $1 in one month, following the introduction of tariffs on imports from Canada.
The survey's findings suggest that tariffs are having an inflationary effect on food prices, with the least well-off consumers being hit hardest. The data also hints that increasing cheap beef imports, as recently done by the Trump administration, may be a positive move in terms of keeping prices low.
The survey's author, Liz Mair, notes that the findings could have implications for the upcoming midterm elections, with voters potentially being influenced by pocketbook issues such as inflation.
