Publisher: Grocery Dive
Published: August 24, 2026
Source: Read at Grocery Dive (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/fuel-price-impact-grocery-spending-upside/828338/)
Category: Food Access
Upside principal research economist Thomas Weinandy said an April survey conducted when gas prices were above $4 a gallon found that shoppers responded with fewer grocery runs, leaner baskets, and more store-brand purchases. Transaction data from three years and more than 1,000 stores showed that every 1% increase in gas prices was associated with a 0.51% drop in grocery visits and a 0.59% drop in grocery revenue. About a third of survey respondents said they made fewer grocery runs to save fuel, while more than a third stopped buying extra items and a similar share switched from name brands to store brands. The article says shoppers often favor stores they already trust on price during a fuel spike, but value does not necessarily mean the cheapest store.
Why this matters: Independent grocers may see fewer visits and smaller baskets when fuel prices rise. The article suggests focusing value offers on shoppers choosing between nearby stores rather than assuming lower prices will reverse a fuel-driven market dip.
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