Publisher: Supermarket News
Published: October 15, 2026
Source: Read at Supermarket News (https://www.supermarketnews.com/grocery-categories/grocery-unit-sales-were-nearly-flat-in-september)
Category: Food Access
U.S. retail food and beverage unit sales declined 0.1% year over year during the four weeks ending Sept. 27, while dollar sales rose 2.1% to $73.7 billion. Frozen food unit sales increased 1% and dollar sales rose 3% to $6.9 billion. Meat unit sales rose 1%, with dollar sales up 1.5% to $8.7 billion, while seafood gains included a 5.8% increase in fresh seafood dollar sales to $666 million. Produce unit sales fell 3.2% to $7.2 billion in dollar sales, and bakery unit sales fell 2.4%.
Why this matters: Independent grocers may need to balance weaker demand in fresh produce and bakery with stronger sales in frozen foods, meat, and seafood. The results also point to continued pressure on unit volume as shoppers manage household budgets.
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