Kroger Tops Study of Grocery Basket Prices at Four Chains

A comparison of 15 common store-brand grocery items placed Kroger at the lowest total basket price among four major chains. The study, conducted by Restaurant Furniture Plus and reported by Southern Living, tracked prices for milk, bread, eggs, chicken breast, spaghetti, canned beans and baking staples.

Kroger recorded the lowest price on 10 of the 15 items, more than any other retailer. Walmart placed second with a basket total of $30.95. Aldi followed at $33.15 and Albertsons at $35.58.

Kroger offered the lowest prices on several pantry items, including canned diced tomatoes, spaghetti, sugar and a dozen large eggs. The chain operates roughly 1,229 stores across 16 states. Aldi recorded the lowest prices on store-brand dairy products, according to the study.

The survey excluded Costco, Trader Joe’s, H-E-B and Piggly Wiggly. Trader Joe’s was omitted because it did not carry some of the compared items, while Costco’s bulk packaging made single-item comparisons impractical. The findings come as food prices have risen 32 percent over the past five years.

An Urban Institute study released Monday found that more than one in four working-age Americans have used credit cards to cover regular grocery bills. “Groceries are one of the largest household budget items for families. Over the past five years, food costs have increased substantially,” the Urban Institute report said.