For most Americans, a simple trip to the grocery store has become anything but simple.
Countless brands, options, trendy new recipes, and foods that are supposed to look and taste like other foods can confuse even the savviest of customers.
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And that's all before you even get to the checkout.
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Once you get to the cash register, you're probably met with a whole other array of emotions. Confusion leads to frustration, especially with the direction grocery pricing is going lately.
The most recent Consumer Price Index shows that the cost of key consumer goods, materials and services was up by 0.4%. This means the 12-month inflation rate was 2.9% — the higher end of what analysts had foreseen. Most anticipated the number between 0.3% to 2.9%.
"Four of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased in December," the CPI found.
"The index for cereals and bakery products rose 1.2 percent over the month after falling 1.1 percent in November. The meats, poultry, fish, and eggs index increased 0.6 percent in December, as the eggs index rose 3.2 percent. The index for other food at home rose 0.3 percent over the month, and the index for dairy and related products increased 0.2 percent."
Image source: Patrick T. FALLON / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images
Costco offers customers a reprieve from price hikes
Some of America's most popular grocery stores, however, offer some much needed insulation from the hefty price increases.
One such store is Costco (COST) , which charges customers an annual membership fee to belong. If they're willing to pay the annual $65 per year, they'll be afforded more affordable options in the warehouse style grocer.
Key consumer staples, like paper products, bread, breakfast cereal, wine and spirits, and dishwasher detergent all tends to be cheaper at Costco. Cheese and other refrigerated goods, like meat, tends to be more affordable too, though customers often are buying in bulk, which makes the food more expensive in terms of weight.
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But many customers don't just go to Costco for the prospect of a deal. They also visit the warehouse for other conveniences. Many love its food court for the famous $1.50 hot dog meal deal. Members are also given opportunity savings on things like fuel and flights.
Costco customers get an upgrade
Because Costco offers so many deals and conveniences (where else can you buy fuel, diamonds, liquor, jeans, and strawberries all in one place?), customers are fiercely loyal to Costco and its private Kirkland brand.
And now, Costco is announcing it will offer customers yet another convenience in several states.
The warehouse is partnering with Electrify America to roll out electric vehicle charging stations at stores in Florida, California, and Colorado. Five stores are expected to get the new features, with the option to roll more out if they're successful.
The store locations are:
- Clermont, Florida – 6 Hyper-Fast chargers
- Denver, Colorado - 6 Hyper-Fast chargers
- Loomis, California – 14 Hyper-Fast chargers
- Pleasanton, California – 10 Hyper-Fast chargers
- Sacramento, California – 10 Hyper-Fast chargers
In total, there are 46 charging stations and Costco will set the prices to charge. Each station will supply a charging speed of up to 350 kilowatts.
Electrify America is the largest Hyper-Fast charging network in the U.S. and its stations are compatible with nearly every available electric vehicle in the country.
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