Grocery costs once more concern Americans, sparking adjustments in consumer behavior
President Donald Trump's campaign promise to lower grocery prices during the 2024 race has not been met, with grocery prices generally increasing during the first six months of his administration.
Trump pledged to "immediately bring prices down" on the campaign trail but later acknowledged that "It’s hard to bring things down once they’re up." During mid-2025, he repeatedly stated he had lowered grocery and energy costs, but these claims have been challenged as misleading because prices have largely increased.
Independent analyses and critique from Democrats highlight that grocery bills are actually going up for consumers, contrary to campaign promises. Reporting from August 2025 emphasises that prices surged in the first six months of the Trump administration, breaking the "Day One" promise to lower costs, with tariffs and other policies contributing to higher grocery and household prices.
The rising grocery prices have put financial pressure on working families, veterans, small businesses, and others who rely on affordable food and household goods. Economic frustration is mounting, particularly among swing voters who supported Trump partly because of his pledge to reduce the cost of living. This price increase is part of larger concerns about inflation and affordability affecting everyday expenses in the U.S.
Economists predict that inflation may accelerate faster as inventories dry up and businesses feel the impact of tariffs. Consumer confidence has wobbled in recent months over the Trump administration's trade policies. Consumers are purchasing only essentials and eating more meals at home, which economists view as a troubling sign of an economic slowdown.
Inventory levels among businesses have remained high due to front-loading at the beginning of the year. However, CEO Dirk van De Put of Mondelez expressed consumer anxiety and frustration with inflation, as the owner of Oreo and Chips Ahoy reported a 3.5% drop in sales in North America due to consumers buying fewer snacks.
The economic slowdown is impacting the job market and companies' growth plans. Kroger's interim CEO Ron Sargent stated that customers are navigating significant uncertainty in an uncertain economic environment. To attract more shoppers, Kroger is increasing promotions and expanding store brands.
The broader economy appears to be impacting consumer sentiment around groceries. American businesses imported less in June due to higher tariffs, making foreign-produced goods more expensive. There are signs of uncertainty around prices due to the Trump administration's tariff and trade policy. There are signs that Trump's tariffs are impacting prices on imported fruits, canned goods, coffee, and other products.
In conclusion, despite campaign assurances, grocery prices have not come down under President Trump during the 2024–2025 period and continue to impact American consumers by increasing the cost burden on households. The economic slowdown and uncertainty surrounding tariffs and trade policies are causing further concerns for both businesses and consumers.
[1] Associated Press. (2025). Trump's Claims of Lowering Grocery Prices Challenged. [online] Available at: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-economy-groceries-prices-tariffs-5398a11728511c2901f18742a949814c
[2] CNN. (2025). How Trump's Policies Are Hurting American Consumers. [online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/12/business/trump-economy-groceries-prices/index.html
The economic slowdown and uncertainty caused by President Trump's tariff and trade policies have escalated concerns for both businesses and consumers, as foreign-produced goods become more expensive and grocery prices continue to rise. This upward trend in grocery costs exerts financial pressure on working families, veterans, small businesses, and others who heavily depend on budget-friendly food and household essentials.
In attempts to attract more shoppers amid the economic downturn, American businesses such as Kroger are increasing promotions and expanding store brands, reflecting the increased cost burden on households due to President Trump's campaign promises not being met about lower grocery prices during the 2024–2025 period.
