The Supermarket Guru on Why Grocery Prices Aren't Coming Down: Chocolate, Beef, Coffee, and Dynamic Pricing
Podcast: SmartHER NewsPublished On: Wed Mar 18 2026
Description: Jenna interviews supermarket expert Phil Lempert, the "Supermarket Guru" on the latest on food prices AND trends in good shopping that may change your next trip to the grocery store. From chocolate, to coffee, to frozen fruits and snacks, we discuss the prices you've been most curious about and unfortunately, Pihl says grocery prices are up nearly 30% since the pandemic and likely won't fall until agriculture problems are solved, citing tariffs, climate change, and supply disruptions. Jenna and Phil also tackle how recent headlines impact food prices from immigration policy to artificial intelligence - including how AI-driven dynamic pricing may soon include electronic shelf labels and facial recognition. Phil also shares some money-saving shopping tactics, and how GLP-1 drugs may reduce food consumption and reshape grocery retail. 00:00 Phil Lempert Returns To SmartHER News 00:30 Supermarket Guru Origin 01:24 Sticker Shock Story 02:14 Why Prices Stay High 02:52 Chocolate Price Surge 04:01 Shrinkflation Tricks 07:21 Finding Chocolate Deals 08:12 Beef Gets Pricier 10:56 Produce and Farm Labor 12:53 Frozen Food Costs 13:56 Snack Prices Rising 15:23 Apples and Storage 17:03 Coffee Price Pressures 19:31 Coffee Fads and Add Ins 21:28 Europe Eats Better 22:09 Quality Over Choice 23:39 Smaller Store Revolution 24:20 Daily Shop Explained 27:18 Regional Shopping Reality 28:14 Tracking Real Prices 31:18 Dynamic Pricing Fears 38:56 AI Shopping Upside 40:08 Save Money Strategies 43:03 HEB Tortilla Magic 44:32 GLP One Grocery Shift SUPPORT OUR MISSION: Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here's how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/ Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews
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