Costco is known for its consistent product selection across the country, but the company will occasionally make regional changes in response to local laws and consumer demands. In Nevada, a state facing unique environmental and economic pressures, shoppers have noticed that several specific product categories have been quietly removed from the shelves in 2025. These…
The food culture of Alabama is steeped in tradition, with a long list of classic Southern staples that have been passed down through generations. However, a trip to a modern Alabama grocery store reveals that some of these once-common items are becoming increasingly hard to find. Due to a combination of changing consumer tastes, the…
For years, “double coupon” days were the holy grail for Florida’s most dedicated bargain hunters. On these special promotion days, major grocery chains like Publix and Winn-Dixie would double the value of a manufacturer’s coupon, turning a 50-cent discount into a full dollar of savings. However, in recent years, Florida shoppers have noticed that these…
You expect to show your ID when you buy alcohol or tobacco, but you may be surprised to learn that a growing number of everyday grocery items are now being kept under lock and key or require an ID at checkout. In Illinois, retailers have been forced to take these extra security measures to combat…
The “buy local” movement is powerful in Pennsylvania, a state with a rich agricultural heritage. Shoppers actively seek out products labeled “local” or “PA Preferred” to support nearby farms and enjoy fresher food. However, the term “local” can be surprisingly flexible, and some brands use it misleadingly. This practice, known as “local washing,” involves selling…
When a food item is recalled for a safety issue, we trust that it will be permanently removed from the marketplace. However, the journey of a recalled product is not always that simple. In some cases, these items can find their way back onto store shelves through a variety of legal and sometimes questionable channels.…
The modern food supply chain is a marvel of logistics, capable of shipping fresh food thousands of miles across the globe. However, this complex system is also incredibly fragile. A delay at a port, a shortage of truck drivers, or an unexpected weather event can leave a shipment of perishable food sitting for days. For…
As each holiday approaches, the grocery store aisles transform. Shelves become filled with products in festive, seasonal packaging, from Halloween-themed candy bags to Christmas-colored coffee creamers. While these items are designed to get you into the holiday spirit, they are also designed to get you to spend more money. Retailers and manufacturers know that shoppers…
If you use an online grocery delivery service like Instacart or Walmart+, you have likely seen the term “substitution” or “brand swap” on your final receipt. This occurs when the specific item you ordered is out of stock, and the personal shopper must select a replacement. While these swaps are designed to be convenient, they…
You have probably experienced it on a recent grocery trip: you go to the freezer aisle to grab a familiar staple, only to find the shelf empty. In recent years, shoppers have noticed that many popular frozen food items seem to be chronically out of stock. At times, disappearing for weeks or even months at…
When a customer returns a sealed, non-perishable grocery item, the store can often donate it or get credit from the supplier. But what happens when the return is a shattered jar of pickles or a leaking bottle of olive oil? A broken container with spilled food presents a unique challenge that goes beyond a simple…
We see them in every grocery store: “multibuy” deals like “2 for $5” or “10 for $10.” These promotions are designed to encourage you to buy more of a product. However, in a surprising number of cases, the way these deals are enforced is technically illegal. In several states and cities, consumer protection laws require…
We all have a mental grocery list of the staple items we buy on every shopping trip. Without thinking, we will grab a new carton of eggs or a bottle of ketchup, assuming we are running low. However, this kind of autopilot shopping is a major source of food waste and unnecessary spending. Many common…
You have finished your shopping, your cart is full, and you are ready to leave the store. However, you may have noticed that the path to the exit is no longer a simple, straight line. Modern retail designers have transformed the front end of the store into a carefully engineered environment of obstacles and temptations.…
If you have a keen eye, you may have noticed that the Nutrition Facts panel on your favorite packaged foods looks different from what it did a few years ago. These changes are not your imagination. Food manufacturers have been quietly altering their nutrition labels for a variety of reasons, ranging from new federal regulations…
For a coffee lover, the description on the front of the bag is a promise. Words like “bright,” “smooth,” or “bold” set an expectation for the taste experience to come. However, in the face of rising coffee bean prices and supply chain volatility, many major brands have quietly altered their classic blends, hoping customers will…