Even as the broader tide of inflation recedes, the grocery store remains a place where the past has not yet released its grip on the present. Economists call it the 'rockets and feathers' effect — prices ascend swiftly in crisis and descend, if at all, with the reluctance of something that has forgotten how to fall. For millions of households, the gap between what the official numbers declare and what the checkout register demands has become its own quiet crisis, a reminder that economic recovery is rarely felt evenly or all at once.
Associated Press
· Jul 25, 2026
· economy
· 1 min read
High
Sourcing: Verified
Grocery prices stay stubbornly high even as overall inflation cools
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Economy & Finance
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Bias & Framing
⚖
AP article uses economic terminology to explain persistent grocery inflation, presenting a neutral analytical framing of price dynamics without clear advocacy.
Bias Direction
center
Confidence
MED
Economic explanation framing - uses the 'rockets and feathers' economic concept to contextualize grocery price persistence as a systemic phenomenon rather than attributing blame to specific actors or policies.
stubbornly high
stubbornly remain elevated
Consumer impact narratives or household budget strain examples
Retail/grocery industry perspective on cost pressures
Policy solutions or government response commentary
Comparative international grocery price data
Specific attribution to supply chain, labor, or commodity costs
Geopolitical Impact
🌎
Domestic US economic issue with no direct geopolitical implications; grocery price stickiness reflects market dynamics rather than international relations.
Escalation Risk
low
Confidence
HIGH
No shifts in international power dynamics; this is a domestic economic phenomenon affecting US consumer behavior and domestic policy considerations.
Economic Lens
📈
Grocery prices remain elevated despite cooling overall inflation, demonstrating the 'rockets and feathers' effect where price increases persist even as inflationary pressures ease.
Market Signal
bearish
Confidence
HIGH
Food and Beverage Retail
Consumer Staples
Grocery Distribution
Food Manufacturing
Households continue facing high grocery bills and elevated food costs, reducing purchasing power for other goods and services despite broader inflation relief. This disproportionately affects lower-income consumers who spend larger portions of income on food.
Policymakers may face pressure to investigate pricing practices in concentrated grocery markets, consider antitrust actions, or implement targeted food price controls. Central banks may need to monitor food inflation separately when assessing overall price stability and monetary policy effectiveness.