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Tag: Groceries

  • The Hidden Tricks Grocery Stores Use To Get You To Spend More

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    Explore the hidden tricks grocery stores use to get you to spend more, driven by psychology and smart design.

    Ever walked into a grocery store for “just milk and bread” and left with a cart full of snacks, flowers, and a rotisserie chicken you didn’t plan on buying? You’re not alone. Today’s stores are carefully designed to influence how you shop — and how much you spend. From store layout to sensory cues, retailers use subtle psychological tactics to encourage bigger baskets and impulse buys. Here are the hidden tricks grocery stores use to get you to spend more.

    Most supermarkets place essential items like milk, eggs, and bread at the back of the store. This forces shoppers to walk past dozens of tempting displays before reaching their intended purchase. Along the way, you encounter seasonal promotions, end-cap deals, and eye-catching packaging designed to trigger impulse decisions.

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    Wide aisles near the entrance create a relaxed feeling, while narrower aisles deeper inside subtly slow your pace, increasing the time you spend browsing. The longer you linger, the more likely you are to add extra items to your cart.

    Product placement on shelves follows a simple rule: eye-level equals sales. Brands pay premium fees to have their products placed at adult eye level, where shoppers are most likely to notice and grab them. Cheaper or store-brand alternatives are often placed on lower or higher shelves, requiring extra effort to find.

    For children, sugary cereals and colorful snacks are placed at kid eye level, strategically positioned to spark “pester power” — when kids urge parents to buy what they see.

    Grocery stores are sensory environments. Soft lighting and warm colors create a welcoming atmosphere, while background music is often slow-paced to encourage leisurely shopping. Studies have shown slower music can increase time spent in-store — and total spending.

    Then there’s the smell of freshly baked bread or rotisserie chicken near the entrance. These aromas aren’t accidental; they stimulate appetite and create a sense of comfort, making shoppers more likely to buy ready-to-eat foods and treats.

    Promotions like “Buy One, Get One Free” or bulk discounts create a sense of urgency and value — even when you didn’t need the extra item. Stores also use charm pricing (e.g., $4.99 instead of $5.00) to make products feel cheaper.

    Large shopping carts are another subtle tactic. Bigger carts make purchases look smaller, encouraging shoppers to fill the space. Some stores have quietly increased cart sizes over the years for this very reason.

    RELATED: Science Confirms Choosing Joy Boosts Mind and Body

    Understanding these tactics can help you stay in control of your grocery budget. Try shopping with a list, avoid shopping when hungry, and stick to the perimeter of the store where fresh staples are typically located. Taking a moment to compare unit prices can also prevent overspending on misleading “deals.”

    Grocery stores aren’t trying to trick you — they’re using proven retail strategies to boost sales. But with awareness and a plan, you can outsmart the system and leave with exactly what you came for — milk, bread, and maybe just one treat.

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    Sarah Johns

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  • Overcharged at checkout? What to know about Canada’s Scanner Price Accuracy Code

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    What is the Scanner Price Accuracy Code?

    The code is a voluntary policy created in 2002 to give shoppers—in some circumstances—recourse when they’re mischarged. It is sometimes called the Scanning Code of Practice and is supported by three industry groups: the Retail Council of Canada, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, and the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada.

    How it works

    If an item is advertised as less than $10 and rings up incorrectly, the code dictates the purchaser should receive the item for free. If you’re buying multiples of the same item, the code says the shopper gets the first one free and all subsequent items at the price they should have been charged. 

    If the incorrectly priced item costs more than $10, customers receive $10 off the displayed price. If more than one is being purchased, the customer receives $10 off the first item. Every subsequent item should be priced at the amount they should have been charged.

    Buyers can receive their discount by flagging mischarges to cashiers or a customer service desk, said Kalie Belanger, a senior co-ordinator of membership engagement and services at the Retail Council of Canada. 

    Canada’s best credit cards for groceries

    What it applies to

    The code only applies to items with a bar code, Universal Product Code, or a Price Look Up. A UPC is the 12-digit numeric code that identifies products and is scanned at a cash register. The PLU is typically four or five digits long and identifies bulk produce items.

    However, the code doesn’t apply to items priced by weight. That means if a grocery store is selling apples at a few cents per pound and you enter a code at the cash register to reveal the price, the code won’t apply. (For a pre-packaged bag of apples with a set price, and scanned with a barcode, the code can be enforced, said Belanger.)

    The code does not apply to items with prices physically attached to them—merchandise with sale or clearance stickers, percentage discount stickers, clothing with hang tags or sewn-in price tags and electronics or books with printed price labels on them.

    The code also doesn’t apply to government-regulated items such as tobacco or alcohol, or prescription drugs or cosmetics kept behind the counter.

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    Where it applies

    The code applies across most of Canada but not in certain provinces or territories like Quebec, where legislation already offers recourse when customers are mischarged.

    It’s only applied at retailers that sign the code, which include Best Buy, Canadian Tire, Costco, Giant Tiger, Loblaw Cos. Ltd., Metro, Rona, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sobeys, Home Depot Canada, and Walmart Canada. 

    To find out whether the place you’re shopping has signed the code, look for signage at the front of the store or ask a cashier, said Santo Ligotti, the council’s vice-president of marketing and member services.

    If a flyer specifically says a promotion is only available at certain locations and the store where you’re shopping is not listed, the code does not apply. However, if the location is listed, it applies. If there is no mention of which stores the flyer is applicable to, it is assumed to be effective at all stores and the code would apply.

    An important caveat

    Retailers can limit the quantity of items in a single transaction they apply the code to, Ligotti said.

    He’s found this caveat has become increasingly important because retailers have noticed some shoppers scouring every shelf in the store to find mispriced items and report them to others online in hopes that they can take advantage, too, before the mistake is corrected.

    “There are some times where they do deny the code because this is people’s hobby sometimes, but (that behaviour is) beyond the intent of the code,” Ligotti said.

    FAQs

    Can the code help me with a product that’s left on the wrong display which has a lower price?
    No, the code only applies when the product matches the shelf label.

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  • Under Trump, the picture on prices is a mixed bag

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    President Donald Trump recently said he has “defeated” inflation, while House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said it’s “skyrocketing out of control.”

    They both can’t be right. So which is it? 

    As Trump finishes the first year of his second term — having won the presidency on a pledge to “get the prices down” — the picture on inflation is more nuanced than he or his critics acknowledge.

    • Year-over-year inflation is down from January 2025 — but only slightly, from 3.0% to 2.7%.

    • The inflation rates for groceries, housing, medical care and clothing haven’t budged from their levels during former President Joe Biden’s final year in office.

    • Prices of many key grocery staples are up, but prices for some specific items — including eggs, bacon, dairy products and bread — have decreased.

    • Electricity costs are up significantly, but gasoline prices have seen a notable decline.

    “Overall, inflation at the start of 2026 is roughly the same as the start of 2025 — no great progress has been made,” said Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of the American Action Forum, a center-right think tank.

    Americans have signaled they aren’t happy: Consumer sentiment has fallen steadily in recent months and is near all-time lows.

    We examined several elements of inflation at the one-year mark in Trump’s second term.

    The overall picture: Inflation rate is down, slightly

    When Trump was sworn in to his second term in January 2025, year-over-year inflation was 3%. In the most recent month for which data is available, December 2025, it was 2.7% a modest decrease. Today’s inflation rate is higher than it was for most of Trump’s first term, and it’s in the ballpark of where it was for most of Biden’s final year. It also remains higher than the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%.

    Inflation that’s roughly steady defied his critics’ expectations, because they had expected Trump’s high-tariff policy to send prices significantly higher.

    On the other hand, even steady inflation undercuts Trump’s promise of getting prices down. Prices have fallen for some specific items during his second term, but not for most.

    Many key items have seen prices rise, not fall, under Trump

    The price of electricity has risen significantly — almost 7% higher than a year ago. Housing, medical care, and tuition and child care are up by close to 3% year over year. Overall groceries and clothing are up by almost 2% each. Durable goods, which includes items such as appliances and furniture, saw the smallest price increase of any major category, a bit under 1%.

    In some categories, inflation has been more rapid under Trump compared with Biden’s final year. Electricity prices saw the biggest acceleration under Trump. Durable goods’ prices fell during Biden’s final year but have risen under Trump. And groceries and medical care saw price increases that were slightly faster under Trump than during Biden’s last year.

    Many grocery price categories have risen, but some have declined

    Trump has often touted the egg price decline on his watch. With the easing of bird flu, which led to egg shortages, egg prices fell during the second half of 2025.

    Bacon, dairy products and bread also experienced price declines in 2025.

    But prices for other grocery staples rose during 2025, including ground beef, steak, chicken breasts, coffee, fruits and vegetables and sugar and sweets.

    Economic bright spots

    After spending the first 10 months of 2025 in a holding pattern around $3.10 a gallon, gasoline prices have fallen below $2.80 a gallon nationally since November.

    Both new and used car prices are down — slightly — while airfares are down more significantly.

    Although inflation remains elevated, wages on Trump’s watch have so far risen faster than inflation. 

    Dean Baker, cofounder of the liberal Center for Economic and Policy Research, noted an exception: Wage growth has been slower for those with less education and those working in lower-skill jobs, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

    Overall, Americans are gloomy about inflation

    Americans don’t seem happy about the outlook.

    The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment index, a leading measurement of how consumers feel about the economy, has fallen for five straight months and now is approaching a record low. The survey began in 1978.

    The record low came when inflation was about 9% under Biden, in mid-2022.

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  • AP-NORC poll finds consumers pinched by prices this holiday season

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    WASHINGTON, D.C.: As Americans head into the heart of the holiday shopping season, many say festive spending feels more stressful than joyful, weighed down by stubbornly high prices and economic unease, according to a new AP-NORC poll.

    Large majorities of U.S. adults report noticing higher-than-usual costs for groceries, electricity, and holiday gifts in recent months, the survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found. Many say they are dipping into savings, hunting more aggressively for bargains, or cutting back on discretionary spending.

    About half of Americans say it is more complicated than usual to afford the gifts they want to give, while similar numbers report delaying big purchases or reducing nonessential spending more than they typically would during the holidays.

    The findings present a challenge for President Donald Trump, who returned to the White House promising to bring prices down. Instead, inflation remains a persistent drag on public sentiment, much as it was during Democratic President Joe Biden’s term. The poll closely mirrors an AP-NORC survey from December 2022, when inflation was running much hotter, but consumer frustration looked strikingly similar.

    Trump’s tariffs have added to inflationary pressures and heightened concerns about economic stability, keeping prices at levels many Americans say remain difficult to manage. The president has rejected those concerns, insisting the economy is strong.

    “When will people understand what is happening?” Trump said last week on Truth Social. “When will Polls reflect the Greatness of America at this point, and how bad it was just one year ago?”

    Still, 68 percent of U.S. adults describe the economy as “poor,” unchanged from December 2024, just before Trump returned to office.

    White House officials plan to send Trump traveling around the country in hopes of boosting confidence ahead of next year’s midterm elections. But comments he made this week in Pennsylvania, suggesting Americans buy fewer dolls and pencils for children because of tariff-related price increases, contrasted sharply with what many respondents described in the poll, including some who supported him in 2024.

    Sergio Ruiz, 44, of Tucson, Arizona, said he is relying more on buy-now-pay-later programs to spread out the cost of gifts for his children. Though not deeply political, Ruiz voted for Trump last year and hopes interest rates fall to help his real estate business.

    “Prices are up. What can you do? You need to make more money,” Ruiz said.

    The poll found that roughly half of Americans are more focused than usual on finding the lowest price when they shop, while about four in ten say they are tapping into savings more than at other times.

    Democrats are more likely than Republicans to say they are cutting back or bargain-hunting, but many Republicans are adjusting as well. About four in ten Republicans say they are searching for low prices more than usual, and a similar share reports buying fewer nonessential items.

    Public attitudes toward holiday shopping look much like they did in 2022, when inflation surged to a four-decade high. Although inflation has since cooled to about three percent, it remains above the Federal Reserve’s two percent target, and the job market shows signs of slowing.

    The survey suggests it is the absolute level of prices — not just the pace of inflation — that continues to strain household budgets. Nearly nine in ten adults say grocery prices are higher than usual, while about two-thirds report higher electricity and holiday gift prices. About half say gas prices also feel elevated.

    Consumer spending has held up despite widespread pessimism, but Trump’s tariffs have changed how some people shop. Andrew Russell, a 33-year-old adjunct professor in Arlington Heights, Illinois, said he now avoids online purchases from abroad.

    “This year, I only bought things that I can pick up in person,” said Russell, who voted Democratic and worries that heavy investment in artificial intelligence could be forming a bubble that might hurt markets next year.

    Looking ahead, few Americans expect meaningful improvement. About four in ten say the economy will be worse next year, roughly three in ten expect little change, and only about two in ten think conditions will improve. Republicans are more optimistic than Democrats, but overall optimism has declined from last year.

    Millicent Simpson, 56, of Cleveland, Ohio, said she expects the economy to worsen for people like her who depend on Medicaid and food assistance programs.

    “He’s making it rough for us,” said Simpson, who voted Democratic. “He’s messing with the government assistance for everybody, young and old.

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  • A Virginia Tech researcher explains the dangers behind ultra-processed foods – WTOP News

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    A professor who helped conduct a new study showing harms from ultra-processed foods explains what they are and why we should avoid them.

    Consuming ultra-processed foods can cause harm to major organs, in addition to a host of other health problems, a new study published Tuesday in the medical journal the Lancet revealed.

    Another report released Thursday from researchers at Virginia Tech shows that young adults are more vulnerable to indulging in ultra-processed foods, according to Brenda Davy, a professor in the school’s Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, who helped conduct the study.

    Davy told WTOP that people need to pay attention to what they’re buying to avoid ultra-processed food, which are dangerous to our health.

    “An ultra-processed food is most easily recognized by having ingredients that would not be used in home cooking,” Davy said.

    Her study tested young adults who were put on diets with ultra-processed foods. After two weeks, the adults aged 18 to 21 ate more calories using a diet that was high in ultra-processed food even though they weren’t hungry. But this wasn’t true for adults in the 22-25 age group, Davy said.

    The study’s results suggest that adolescents may be more vulnerable to ultra-processed foods, which can be addictive.

    Some examples of ultra-processed foods include “things like Sunny Delight, rather than 100% fresh orange juice,” she said. “A Pop-Tart, which would be an ultra-processed food, compared to a homemade banana nut muffin.”

    “When you’re shopping at the grocery store, if you pick up an item and look at the ingredient list, if you see things like ‘fat, flour, oil, salt, sugar,’ those are things that are typically used in home cooking,” she said. “Those would not be considered ultra-processed ingredients.”

    “On the other hand, if you saw very long-sounding chemical names that you do not recognize, that’s one tip off of an item considered an ultra-processed food,” she added.

    She said the research released this week shows that these ingredients could be more dangerous than you think.

    “Ultra-processed foods are linked to increased risks of obesity and weight gain and a whole host of chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases,” Davy said.

    She said in order to avoid ultra-processed foods, people should “prepare as many of their meals as possible at home.”

    “That might help folks reduce their risk of some of these chronic diseases related to their diet,” she said.

    Davy said that there are some advantages to food processing by manufacturers.

    “One of the biggest advantages for using processed foods is that they do have a longer shelf life,” she said. “That is an important benefit of ultra-processed foods.”

    But she said that one of the big drawbacks is how addictive they can be.

    “They may drive us to overeat them,” she said.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Valerie Bonk

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  • Don’t Waste Your Money: How much have grocery prices fluctuated in the past year?

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    Grocery “affordability” seems to be a buzzword right now, as many Americans focus on their constantly increasing grocery bill. 

    With Thanksgiving right around the corner, turkeys and the fixings are said to remain affordable, but other items are as high as ever. 

    Coffee is the most increased grocery item of 2025, which is up 19 percent. The second most increased item: beef, up 15% from last year. 

    Customers across the country said they have to buy less this year. Regina Gertsen is among those, saying meat is just too expensive. 

    Other popular items that have seen price hikes include frozen juice, which is up nine percent. Bananas and condiments have both increased by seven percent. 

    There are some items that are down, though still pricier than they used to be. Eggs are down 12%, cooking oils are down 3% and canned tuna is down 3% as well. 

    The Farm Bureau blames low cattle inventory for the high costs. It is at its lowest level in 60 years. Factors like drought and high feed prices lead to lower inventories. 

    Market owner Neil Luken said that steak and burger prices typically drop in winter, as people buy roasts instead. However, that has yet to happen this year, and ground beef is still above six dollars a pound. 

    That’s why President Trump unveiled a plan to import more beef from Argentina. In the meantime, switching to chicken won’t save much. The cost of chicken breasts has gone up over a dollar a pound this year. 

    While eggs and a few things are more affordable, the reality is that prices on most staples remain high. 

    Every Thursday, WRAL News tracks the prices of groceries across multiple grocery chains in the Triangle. It reflects that some staples like beef and chicken remain high, but there are some that might not break your budget. 

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  • Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration To Fully Fund SNAP Benefits In November – KXL

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    Aidan Tavor, center, directs traffic as volunteers help load vehicles during a food distribution at the San Antonio Food Bank for SNAP recipients and other households affected by the federal shutdown, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

    (AP) – A federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration Thursday to find the money to fully fund SNAP benefits for November.

    The ruling by U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. gave President Donald Trump’s administration until Friday to make the payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, though it’s unlikely the 42 million Americans — about 1 in 8 — will see the money on the debit cards they use for groceries that quickly.

    The order was in response to a challenge from cities and nonprofits complaining that the administration was only offering to cover 65% of the maximum benefit, a decision that would leave some recipients getting nothing for this month.

    “The defendants failed to consider the practical consequences associated with this decision to only partially fund SNAP,” McConnell said. “They knew that there would be a long delay in paying partial SNAP payments and failed to consider the harms individuals who rely on those benefits would suffer.”

    McConnell was one of two judges who ruled last week that the administration could not skip November’s benefits entirely because of the federal shutdown.

    It has been a week of twists and turns for SNAP beneficiaries
    Last week’s rulings ordered the government to use one emergency reserve fund containing $4.6 billion to pay for SNAP for November but gave it leeway to tap other money to make the full payments, which cost between $8.5 billion and $9 billion each month.

    On Monday, the administration said it would not use additional money, saying it was up to Congress to appropriate the funds for the program.

    The next day, Trump appeared to threaten not to pay the benefit s at all unless Democrats in Congress agreed to reopen the government. His press secretary later said that the partial benefits were being paid for November — and that it is future payments that are at risk if the shutdown continues.

    Late Wednesday, the USDA, which runs the program, said in a filing in federal court in Rhode Island that it had done further analysis and found that the maximum benefit will be 65% of the usual amount.

    Speaking at the Greater Boston Food Bank in Massachusetts Thursday morning, Democratic Gov. Maura Healey said the Trump administration is sending mixed messages: “Come on. You know, you’re going to partially fund food for Americans? You’re going let people starve?”

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    Jordan Vawter

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  • ‘Making sure that nobody falls through the cracks’: Montgomery County mom helps people buy groceries – WTOP News

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    With so many questions about the future of SNAP benefits, a Montgomery County, Maryland, mom joined a grassroots effort to help those by buying groceries.

    It’s the 35th day of the government shutdown and with the future of SNAP benefits up in the air, a Montgomery County, Maryland, mom leapt into action by joining a grassroots effort that she saw online.

    A week ago, Kristin Schmidt, senior minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring, saw a video on Facebook of someone who took on what they call a “Grocery Buddy.”

    The person took their grocery buddy shopping at a supermarket and made sure that even if their SNAP benefits ran out, they would not go hungry.

    “I thought, well, like, I can’t fix the problems with our federal government, but I can certainly, you know, buy somebody’s groceries for the week,” said Schmidt.

    Schmidt made a post of her own on the Olney Moms Group Facebook page, letting them know that she was going to get a grocery buddy and encouraged others to join her.

    There were between 50 and 100 replies, with many more requests than offers.

    The buddies were matched up by Schmidt, and she encouraged them to meet in person and get to know each other. Schmidt said she and her buddy knew some of the same people.

    Schmidt said instead of going shopping together, she gave her buddy a gift card.

    “It feels really good to know that I’m supporting someone in my community,” said Schmidt.

    There’s so much need that Schmidt got a volunteer to help her match up buddies, and along with creating forms to help speed up the process, there will soon be a website dedicated to Grocery Buddy.

    The mother of three said reading the requests was moving.

    “The stories of particularly people who have disabilities, people who have children with special needs, people who really do rely on the common good of society in order to provide what they as individuals just aren’t equipped to provide for themselves and their loved ones,” said Schmidt.

    Until the website is up, Schmidt is taking requests for help and to help via her email address, which is minister@uucs.org.

    “For me, that is the best of who we are as human societies is making sure that nobody falls through the cracks,” said Schmidt. “In a country that allows people to become billionaires, that we make sure that we feed and care for those who live closest to life’s margins.”

    Schmidt pointed out that she did not do this alone and spoke of the importance of neighbors working together to help others.

    “It feels good to be living out my values in the world and making sure that people are getting what they need, because I think our communities are stronger when everybody has what they need,” said Schmidt.

    Around 42 million people in the United States receive SNAP benefits a month, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is roughly 1 in 8 people.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Jimmy Alexander

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  • Court rulings protect millions’ SNAP benefits amid shutdown

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    BOSTON, Massachusetts: Two federal judges ruled on October 31 that President Donald Trump’s administration cannot halt food assistance for millions of Americans during the ongoing government shutdown. They ordered the government to rely on existing contingency funds to keep benefits flowing.

    The rulings, issued in federal courts in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, came in response to separate lawsuits challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plan that stopped Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on November 1. SNAP, also known as food stamps, helps low-income households afford groceries. For weeks, Democrats and Republicans in Congress have blamed each other for the shutdown, which has put SNAP payments at risk.

    It remains uncertain whether the decisions guarantee that benefits will be issued. Both judges asked the administration to update them on November 3 on how it will follow the orders.

    Trump posted on social media that the federal government may lack legal authority to distribute SNAP funds during a shutdown. He said administration lawyers are asking courts for guidance on how to restore payments quickly. “If we are given the appropriate legal direction by the Court, it will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding,” he wrote.

    SNAP benefits go to households earning less than 130 percent of the federal poverty level. In many states, that currently means about US$1,632 per month for a single person or $2,215 for two people. While the federal government funds the program, states handle daily operations and distribute monthly payments.

    According to the USDA, it costs between $8.5 and $9 billion per month to fully fund SNAP for the roughly 42 million Americans who rely on it. The administration has argued that the agency has no authority to spend that money during the shutdown, which began on October 1, until Congress approves new funding.

    However, U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Providence said the administration’s refusal to use $5.25 billion in available contingency funds was arbitrary and would cause real harm to families worried about access to food. He ordered that those funds be distributed as soon as possible and said the agency should also consider tapping a separate account that holds about $23 billion if needed.

    Minutes earlier, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston reached a similar conclusion. Her ruling came in a case brought by 25 Democratic-led states and Washington, D.C. She said the suspension of benefits was based on a mistaken belief that the contingency funds could not legally be used during a shutdown.

    The USDA had previously stated that contingency money could keep benefits going if Congress failed to pass a budget. But last week, the agency changed its position and warned that “the well has run dry,” triggering the legal challenges.

    Despite administration claims that the payment systems might struggle or that partial benefits would be too difficult to distribute, both judges stressed that the government has the authority and responsibility to fully fund SNAP during the shutdown.

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  • Why your morning coffee is costing more these days – MoneySense

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    Dry weather and production woes continue to brew higher coffee costs

    Coffee prices have remained high amid concerns of dry weather in Brazil, a major coffee-producing country. That’s making your daily cup of coffee more expensive, whether you’re brewing it at home or buying a coffee at a café. Statistics Canada data shows Canadians paid 27.9% more for their coffee at a grocery store in August compared with a year earlier.

    Robert Carter, president of the Coffee Association of Canada, said the surge in coffee prices is a continuation of what roasters and cafés saw last year. “The commodity side is still fluctuating, and the production side, we’re still seeing limited production challenges out of various countries such as Colombia and Brazil,” he said.

    Carter said cafés and coffee bean roasters were already struggling with rising operational costs, such as with packaging and labour, and now coffee bean prices are adding to their challenges. “The cost of goods, which coffee would fall into, has definitely seen an increase … within the double digits,” he said.

    Tariffs and supply pressures squeeze smaller coffee roasters

    Coffee prices are also seeing added price pressures from tariffs, even as Canada dropped its counter-tariffs in September.

    Von Massow suspects price fluctuations are likely hurting smaller roasters in Canada more than larger players who buy directly from producers. Small-scale coffee roasters typically buy coffee beans from brokers who aggregate supply from farmers and coffee-producing countries. “The smaller roasters are going to get squeezed, everyone gets squeezed, as costs go up because we as consumers are resistant to price increases and they don’t want to see volume go down,” he said.

    Von Massow said it will be more difficult for smaller roasters to pass down costs to their customers. “They’ve always differentiated not on price, but on product,” he said of smaller roasters. “But the greater the price disparity is, the less their demand will be.”

    However, some costs will be mitigated for these roasters as the impact of counter-tariffs start to wear off, von Massow said. Meanwhile, other costs are likely to be passed on to customers. “We’re seeing big companies start to announce some price increases as the shortages become more sustained,” he said. 

    Coffee chain Tim Hortons said it will increase the price of its coffee by an average of three cents per cup. “This is the first time in about three years that we’ve adjusted the price of coffee,” said Michael Oliveira, director of communications at Tim Hortons, in an email. “This is significantly below inflation and reflects our commitment to great value and everyday low prices for our guests.”

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    The coffee market’s roller-coaster ride isn’t over yet

    Speculation on coffee futures—a way of measuring commodity prices based on contracts for future delivery in a publicly-traded market—have also amplified price pressures. “The coffee market has been on a roller-coaster for the past year,” said Adam Pesce, president of Oakville, Ont.-headquartered Reunion Coffee Roasters, which sells wholesale and also runs a retail café in Toronto.

    Reunion has had to increase prices over the past several months to match its rising costs, said Pesce. He said market speculators have been active and making a lot of money by holding a longer position on the commodity. Meanwhile, coffee roasters are buying as little as possible, hoping prices might come down. It has been “a very exhausting, very time-consuming year of watching the market,” compared with previous years when markets were more stable and less erratic, Pesce said.

    Von Massow said coffee prices will continue to reflect the climate impacts of an individual year—with some annual yields better than others. “One thing that we can say definitively is that there’s going to be more variability in prices going forward,” he said.

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    About The Canadian Press


    About The Canadian Press

    The Canadian Press is Canada’s trusted news source and leader in providing real-time stories. We give Canadians an authentic, unbiased source, driven by truth, accuracy and timeliness.

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  • After massive shrimp recalls, the FDA finds radioactive contamination in spices too

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    Federal regulators have detected possible radioactive contamination in a second food product sent to the U.S. from Indonesia, even as recalls of potentially tainted shrimp continue to grow. The discovery adds to questions about the source of the unusual problem.Related video above: FDA investigates radioactive contamination in Walmart shrimpU.S. Food and Drug Administration officials last week blocked import of all spices from PT Natural Java Spice of Indonesia after federal inspectors detected cesium 137 in a shipment of cloves sent to California.That follows the import alert imposed in August on the company PT Bahari Makmuri Sejati, or BMS foods, which sends millions of pounds of shrimp to the U.S. each year.Here’s what you need to know about potential cesium 137 contamination:What is cesium 137?Cesium 137 is a radioactive isotope created as a byproduct of nuclear reactions, including nuclear bombs, testing, reactor operations and accidents. It’s widespread around the world, with trace amounts found in the environment, including soil, food and air.What have U.S. officials found?U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials detected cesium 137 in shipping containers of shrimp sent by PT Bahari Makmur Sejati to several U.S. ports. CBP officials flagged the potential contamination to the FDA, which tested samples of the shrimp and detected cesium 137 in one sample of breaded shrimp.The company has sent about 84 million pounds (38 million kilograms) of shrimp to U.S. ports this year, according to data from Import Genius, a trade data analysis company. It supplies about 6% of foreign shrimp imported in the U.S.This month, FDA officials detected cesium 137 in one sample of cloves exported by PT Natural Java Spice, which sends spices to the U.S. and other countries. Records show the company sent about 440,000 pounds ( 200,000 kilograms) of cloves to the U.S. this year.What are the health risks?No food that triggered alerts or tested positive has been released for sale in the U.S., FDA officials emphasized.But hundreds of thousands of packages of imported frozen shrimp sold at Kroger and other grocery stores across the U.S. have been recalled because they may have been manufactured under conditions that allowed them to be contaminated, the agency said.Although the risk appears to be small, the foods could pose a “potential health concern” for people exposed to low levels of cesium 137 over time.The levels of contamination detected are far below the level that could trigger the need for health protections, but long-term exposure could raise the risk of certain cancers.Where did the contamination come from?It’s not clear whether there’s a common source of contamination for the shrimp and the spices. FDA and CBP officials said their investigations are continuing. The two processing facilities appear to be about 500 miles (800 kilometers) apart in Indonesia.Contaminated scrap metal or melted metal at an industrial site near the shrimp processing plant in Indonesia may be the source of the radioactive material, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Nuclear regulators in Indonesia said they detected the radioactive isotope at the site outside Jakarta.It’s possible that that type of contamination could come from recycling old medical equipment that contained cesium 137, according to Steve Biegalski, a nuclear medicine expert at the Georgia Institute of Technology.Contaminated transport containers or shipping methods, such as trucks, boats or shared materials could also be a source, he said.What should consumers do?For now, consumers should avoid eating or serving shrimp recalled for possible cesium 137 contamination, the FDA said.To date, four firms have issued recalls of shrimp since August, including those listed here.1. Aug. 21, 2025: Southwind Foods, LLC Recall2. Aug. 22, 2025: Beaver Street Fisheries, LLC Recall3. Aug. 27, 2025: AquaStar (USA) Corp Recall – Kroger Brand4. Aug. 28, 2025: AquaStar (USA) Corp Recall – Aqua Star Brand5. Aug. 29, 2025: Southwind Foods, LLC Recall – Expansion of original recall6. Sept. 19, 2025: AquaStar (USA) Corp Recall – Expansion of original recall7. Sept. 23, 2025: Southwind Foods, LLC Recall – Expansion of original recall8. Sept. 23, 2025: Lawrence Wholesale, LLC Recall – Kroger Brand

    Federal regulators have detected possible radioactive contamination in a second food product sent to the U.S. from Indonesia, even as recalls of potentially tainted shrimp continue to grow. The discovery adds to questions about the source of the unusual problem.

    Related video above: FDA investigates radioactive contamination in Walmart shrimp

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials last week blocked import of all spices from PT Natural Java Spice of Indonesia after federal inspectors detected cesium 137 in a shipment of cloves sent to California.

    That follows the import alert imposed in August on the company PT Bahari Makmuri Sejati, or BMS foods, which sends millions of pounds of shrimp to the U.S. each year.

    Here’s what you need to know about potential cesium 137 contamination:

    What is cesium 137?

    Cesium 137 is a radioactive isotope created as a byproduct of nuclear reactions, including nuclear bombs, testing, reactor operations and accidents. It’s widespread around the world, with trace amounts found in the environment, including soil, food and air.

    What have U.S. officials found?

    U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials detected cesium 137 in shipping containers of shrimp sent by PT Bahari Makmur Sejati to several U.S. ports. CBP officials flagged the potential contamination to the FDA, which tested samples of the shrimp and detected cesium 137 in one sample of breaded shrimp.

    The company has sent about 84 million pounds (38 million kilograms) of shrimp to U.S. ports this year, according to data from Import Genius, a trade data analysis company. It supplies about 6% of foreign shrimp imported in the U.S.

    This month, FDA officials detected cesium 137 in one sample of cloves exported by PT Natural Java Spice, which sends spices to the U.S. and other countries. Records show the company sent about 440,000 pounds ( 200,000 kilograms) of cloves to the U.S. this year.

    What are the health risks?

    No food that triggered alerts or tested positive has been released for sale in the U.S., FDA officials emphasized.

    But hundreds of thousands of packages of imported frozen shrimp sold at Kroger and other grocery stores across the U.S. have been recalled because they may have been manufactured under conditions that allowed them to be contaminated, the agency said.

    Although the risk appears to be small, the foods could pose a “potential health concern” for people exposed to low levels of cesium 137 over time.

    The levels of contamination detected are far below the level that could trigger the need for health protections, but long-term exposure could raise the risk of certain cancers.

    Where did the contamination come from?

    It’s not clear whether there’s a common source of contamination for the shrimp and the spices. FDA and CBP officials said their investigations are continuing. The two processing facilities appear to be about 500 miles (800 kilometers) apart in Indonesia.

    Contaminated scrap metal or melted metal at an industrial site near the shrimp processing plant in Indonesia may be the source of the radioactive material, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Nuclear regulators in Indonesia said they detected the radioactive isotope at the site outside Jakarta.

    It’s possible that that type of contamination could come from recycling old medical equipment that contained cesium 137, according to Steve Biegalski, a nuclear medicine expert at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

    Contaminated transport containers or shipping methods, such as trucks, boats or shared materials could also be a source, he said.

    What should consumers do?

    For now, consumers should avoid eating or serving shrimp recalled for possible cesium 137 contamination, the FDA said.

    To date, four firms have issued recalls of shrimp since August, including those listed here.

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  • See how your cost of living has changed with the ABC Price Tracker

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    The app includes prices for many of your basic needs, from food to housing to transportation, spanning a decade of data points.

    Tuesday, September 9, 2025 3:00PM

    The ABC Data Team has launched the Price Tracker, an interactive tool that provides up-to-date information on the price of household necessities in your area.

    It displays regional prices of essentials for the 100 largest U.S. metro areas over the last decade. Simply search for your area to see how the cost of living has changed for households like yours. Then select groceries, housing or utilities to drill down into each category of basic expenses.

    The ABC Price Tracker can help you answer questions like:

    • How have rent and other housing expenses changed over the last 10 years?


    • Which grocery items have seen the biggest price hikes nationwide?


    • When was the last time gas cost less than $3 per gallon in my area?

    The interactive tool will automatically update with the latest data available, so you can give your sticker shock a gut check.

    Go here to use the ABC Price Tracker.

    Copyright © 2025 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.

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    WLS

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  • Trump says grocery, energy prices are down. Many aren’t

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    One of the biggest talking points of Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign was to reverse the high inflation that peaked in 2022 under former President Joe Biden. Trump promised to reduce prices for groceries, cars and other consumer items.

    Trump took a victory lap on prices during an Aug. 26 Cabinet meeting, calling out a few categories. 

    “Groceries are down. Energy is way down,” Trump said. “Was $4 and $5 for a gallon of gas.”

    We looked at official government data and found that the cost of some grocery and energy products have gone down, but many have seen increases.

    The White House did not respond to an inquiry for this article.

    Sign up for PolitiFact texts

    Food prices are up, with a few exceptions

    For groceries, we examined standard price data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ consumer price index. Taken as a whole, the cost of food has risen, but some individual items have fallen in price as others rose. 

    A measure for groceries, called food at home, rose by a small amount between December 2024 and July 2025 — just under 1%. 

    Combining food and beverage prices shows a rise of 1.5% during the same period.

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics also separates price patterns for key types of food. A deeper dive into the grocery cart shows that some of these items became more expensive while others became cheaper.  

    The price of eggs, an issue Trump spotlighted earlier in the year, has fallen by about 13%, following a bird flu-driven spike.

    Bread fell by 3.2%, and fruits and vegetables fell by 0.7%.

    But a larger number of items increased in price. Bacon rose by 2.9%. The combined cost of meats, poultry, fish and eggs rose by 2.8%. Coffee prices rose by 11.3%. Dairy and related products rose slightly, by 0.5%. Sugar and sweets rose by 3.7%.

    Ground beef saw the biggest increase, rising by 11.6%. Drought and export limits have driven beef prices higher.

    These increases are over half a year. If these items’ prices continue to rise at the same rate over a full year, the percentage increase would double. 

    Energy prices overall are down, but electricity is up

    The overall cost of energy is down, by about 2.6% on Trump’s watch. Energy is a broad field that includes fuel oil, propane, kerosene, firewood, electricity and energy services.

    Many consumers have noticed that their monthly electricity bills are up, by 4.6%.

    Gasoline prices, according to the Energy Information Administration, rose by just a few cents from $3.109 on Jan. 20, Trump’s inauguration day, to $3.147 on Aug. 25, the most recent data available when Trump spoke. (Gas prices are typically higher in the summer.) 

    Trump compares this with $4 or $5 per gallon gasoline, but the last time prices were that high was in 2022. Most, and most of the subsequent price decline came under Biden. Gasoline prices were below $4 per gallon for the final two and a half years of Biden’s presidency.

    Trump “can point to successes in lowering inflation in some commodities; but there have been ‘failures’ in many other commodities,” said Gary Burtless, a Brookings Institution economist. “Overall, it’s hard to say that inflation is sharply or even moderately lower than it was in the late-Biden-administration era.”

    Our ruling

    Trump said, “Groceries are down. Energy is way down. … Was $4 and $5 for a gallon of gas.”

    Some food items have seen a price decline on Trump’s watch, and overall energy prices have declined. But many items have increased in price.

    Among the food items to rise in price between December 2024 and July 2025 are ground beef, bacon, other meats, coffee, dairy products and sugar and sweets. 

    As for energy, electricity costs have risen, and Trump’s comparison to $4 and $5 gasoline ignores that most of the price decline at the pump occurred under Biden.

    We rate the statement Half True.

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  • More frozen shrimp has been recalled for possible radioactive contamination

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    More frozen shrimp has been recalled for possible radioactive contamination

    Updated: 7:44 AM PDT Aug 22, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    More packages of frozen shrimp potentially affected by radioactive contamination have been recalled, federal officials said Thursday.California-based Southwind Foods recalled frozen shrimp sold under the brands Sand Bar, Arctic Shores, Best Yet, Great American and First Street. The bagged products were distributed between July 17 and Aug. 8 to stores and wholesalers in nine states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Washington state.In the video player above: Get a look at the product labelsThe products have the potential to be contaminated with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope that is a byproduct of nuclear reactions.Related video below: Are Recalled Products Hiding in Your Home?Walmart stores this week recalled packages of Great Value frozen raw shrimp sold in 13 states because of potential radioactive contamination.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a safety alert after federal officials detected Cesium-137 in shipping containers sent to four U.S. ports and in a sample of frozen breaded shrimp imported by BMS Foods of Indonesia.The FDA advises consumers not to eat the recalled products. Traces of Cesium-137 are widespread in the environment including food, soil and air. The primary health risk is through long-term, repeated low-dose exposure, which can increase the risk of cancer.

    More packages of frozen shrimp potentially affected by radioactive contamination have been recalled, federal officials said Thursday.

    California-based Southwind Foods recalled frozen shrimp sold under the brands Sand Bar, Arctic Shores, Best Yet, Great American and First Street. The bagged products were distributed between July 17 and Aug. 8 to stores and wholesalers in nine states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Washington state.

    In the video player above: Get a look at the product labels

    The products have the potential to be contaminated with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope that is a byproduct of nuclear reactions.

    Related video below: Are Recalled Products Hiding in Your Home?

    Walmart stores this week recalled packages of Great Value frozen raw shrimp sold in 13 states because of potential radioactive contamination.

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a safety alert after federal officials detected Cesium-137 in shipping containers sent to four U.S. ports and in a sample of frozen breaded shrimp imported by BMS Foods of Indonesia.

    The FDA advises consumers not to eat the recalled products. Traces of Cesium-137 are widespread in the environment including food, soil and air. The primary health risk is through long-term, repeated low-dose exposure, which can increase the risk of cancer.

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  • Canada’s annual inflation fell to 1.6% in September – MoneySense

    Canada’s annual inflation fell to 1.6% in September – MoneySense

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    The agency said Tuesday its consumer price index for September was up 1.6% from a year ago compared with a year-over-year increase of 2% in August.

    It was the slowest annual pace for inflation since February 2021 when it was 1.1%.

    Gasoline prices in September fell 10.7% compared with a year earlier. Excluding gasoline, the annual pace of inflation was 2.2% in September.

    Meanwhile, rent prices increased at a slower pace in the month but remained elevated as they rose 8.2% compared with a year ago following a year-over-year gain of 8.9% in August.

    Grocery prices increased 2.4%, rising faster than overall inflation

    Statistics Canada said prices for food purchased from stores rose faster than overall inflation as they increased 2.4% in September, the same rate as in August. Prices for fresh or frozen beef gained 9.2%, while edible fats and oils rose 7.8% and eggs increased 5%.

    Prices for food purchased from restaurants rose 3.5% compared with 3.4% in August.

    The inflation report is the last major piece of economic data before the Bank of Canada’s interest rate decision on Oct. 23.

    The central bank, which has a target of 2% for inflation, has cut its key interest rate three times so far this year to bring it to 4.25%.

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    The Canadian Press

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  • Moi rewards review – MoneySense

    Moi rewards review – MoneySense

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    According to a recent survey by Léger, Moi is currently the “most widely used loyalty program in Quebec.” In Ontario, however, it will face heavier competition from the PC Optimum and Scene+ rewards programs, which dominate the market. So, how does Moi stack up? Let’s dive into the program and find out. 

    Find the perfect card for you with CardFinder

    In under 60 seconds, get matched with a personalized list of the best credit cards based on your spending personality and approval likelihood. No SIN required.

    How do Moi points work? 

    Right now, Canadians can earn and redeem Moi points at Metro, Super C, Jean Coutu, Brunet and Première Moisson stores in Quebec only. In Ontario and New Brunswick, Moi is currently offered in Jean Coutu pharmacies, but it will soon become available at Metro and Food Basics stores in Ontario. 

    Unlike with PC Optimum and Scene+, Moi rewards you on all purchases made at participating stores. Specifically, you get one point for every dollar spent. You’ll also get a welcome bonus of 250 points when you enroll in the program. You can earn bonus points through in-store and targeted offers. For example, you could earn three times the points when you spend $50, or earn 10 bonus points when buying a particular brand of barbecue sauce.

    You can redeem Moi points at any participating retailer once you’ve reached a minimum of 500 points (for a value of $4). That means one Moi point is worth $0.008 (or 0.8 cents), which is a decent value considering you earn points on all your purchases.

    Moi RBC Visa

    Currently, the Moi RBC Visa has a welcome bonus of up to 10,000 Moi points, which is equivalent to $80. When using the Moi RBC Visa in combination with the Moi program card, the earn rate is 2 Moi points per dollar spent at participating Metro, Jean Coutu, Brunet and Première Moisson stores. Restaurant, gas and EV charging purchases also earn you 2 points per dollar. All other purchases earn you 1 point per dollar. 

    As for the benefits, the card includes mobile device insurance, and purchase security and extended warranty insurance. You’re getting a respectable earn rate and perks for a no-annual-fee card, but there are still some drawbacks.

    featured

    Moi RBC Visa

    go to site

    Annual fee: $0

    Welcome offer: Earn up to 10,000 Moi points ($80 value)

    go to site

    Card details

    Interest rates 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
    Income required None
    Credit score None specified

    What’s the best credit card to use at Metro stores? 

    Even though the Moi RBC Visa is the official co-branded card of Metro-affiliated stores, there are other credit cards to consider using instead.

    The Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite card comes with 4% cash back per dollar spent on groceries, recurring bills and subscription purchases. You also get 2% cash back on gas and daily transit. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. While the earn rate is higher than the Moi RBC Visa’s at Metro stores, the Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite has an annual fee of $120 (waived for the first year), and the cash back is only paid out as a statement credit once a year, in November.

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    Barry Choi

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  • To save money, Canadians are buying more private-label grocery brands – MoneySense

    To save money, Canadians are buying more private-label grocery brands – MoneySense

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    She also said her pre-existing notion that private-label food might be lower quality has been challenged.

    “I started to kind of recognize that the store brand, private label isn’t necessarily less quality,” she said.

    Consumers’ perceptions of private-label foods have improved considerably since the last time interest in store brands surged, according to CoBank, which was around the time of the 2008 recession.

    This means the increased share of private-label products in shoppers’ baskets is likely to have more staying power this time around, the report said.
    Empire Co. Ltd., the company behind Sobeys, FreshCo, Safeway and other grocers, said in its 2024 annual report that it plans to continue growing and enhancing its portfolio of store brands.

    In its 2023 annual report, Loblaw noted that customers’ increased focus on value “benefited the Company’s sales due to its strength in private label products, discount banners, and personalized promotions.”

    The company even launched a new discount grocery banner this year under its No Name brand.

    Grocers not only often get a better margin on private-label products but also see them as a sort of “loyalty program” that can keep shoppers coming back, said Chapman.

    He thinks retailers will work hard to keep private-label sales strong through new products, marketing, promotions and shelf space.

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    The Canadian Press

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  • Costco raises annual membership fees for 1st time in 7 years amid rising inflation

    Costco raises annual membership fees for 1st time in 7 years amid rising inflation

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    NEW YORK — Heads up for consumers: the cost of admission is increasing for Costco members.

    Starting on September 1, customers will see a $5-10 increase depending on their membership plan. The change applies to both current memberships and renewals.

    It is the first time in seven years that the wholesale chain is increasing its membership fee.

    According to Costco, the price change will “help to offset operational costs so we can keep our prices low.”

    Despite rising inflation in recent years, membership prices had remained steady.

    The fee increase comes after the company announced it would crack down on card sharing by requiring shoppers to scan their membership cards to enter stores.

    “Over the coming months, membership scanning devices will be used at the entrance door of your local warehouse,” Costco said in a statement online. “Once deployed, prior to entering, all members must scan their physical or digital membership card by placing the barcode or QR Code against the scanner.”

    Despite the membership fee increase, Costco says its memberships will continue to include one free card for a designated person in the same household who is at least 16 years old.

    For more on how you can still save, watch the video above.

    Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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    KGO

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  • PC Financial World Elite Mastercard review – MoneySense

    PC Financial World Elite Mastercard review – MoneySense

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    PC Financial World Elite Mastercard

    VISIT PCFINANCIAL.COM FOR MORE DETAILS

    VISIT PCFINANCIAL.COM FOR MORE DETAILS

    Card details

    Interest rates 21.99% on purchases, 22.97% on cash advances (21.97% for residents of Quebec), 22.97% on balance transfers
    Income required Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000
    Credit score 560 or higher
    Point value 10 PC points = $0.01 at Loblaws grocery network and Shoppers Drug Mart.

    Benefits of the PC Financial World Elite Mastercard

    Earn more PC Optimum points than with a basic membership

    All PC Optimum members earn points on select purchases. And those points can be redeemed for groceries, drugstore items, home essentials, clothing and gas. But with the PC FInancial World Elite Mastercard, you’ll rack points up much faster: You get 30 points per $1 spent at affiliated Loblaw banner grocery stores. Plus, you earn 45 points per $1 at Shoppers Drug Mart and 30 points per litre at Esso and Mobil stations. Beyond that, it’s 10 points per $1 spent on everything else.

    Comes with good insurance benefits

    The PC Financial World Elite Mastercard is a unicorn in the credit card world. Although it has no annual fee, cardholders get the added benefit of insurance coverage. As part of the package, you’ll get car rental collision/loss damage waiver insurance and up to $1 million in travel emergency medical insurance (for up to 10 days from departure). Those are two valuable features that could save serious coin on your next trip if you’re involved in an accident. It’s hard to find a $0 annual fee credit card with these kinds of extras.

    How to earn PC Optimum points

    Earning is easy: simply charge purchases to your PC Financial World Elite Mastercard. You’ll earn the most when you shop at PC-affiliated stores, and fuel up with its gas station partners.

    With the PC Financial World Elite Mastercard, you’ll earn 30 Points per $1 spent at affiliated Loblaw banner grocery stores (such as Loblaws, Fortinos, No Frills and Real Canadian Superstore), making this one of the best no-fee credit cards. The earn rate is a whopping 45 points per $1 spent at Shoppers Drug Mart (as well as Pharmaprix in Quebec) and at least 30 points per litre of gasoline or diesel fuel purchased at Esso and select Mobil stations in Canada. You’ll get 10 points per $1 spent on everything else.

    How to redeem PC Optimum points

    One of the best features of PC Optimum is that redemption is a cinch. As soon as you accumulate 10,000 PC Optimum points, you can redeem them for $10 worth of free groceries or merchandise at any participating stores; or you can save them for fatter savings down the line. Points are calculated based on the purchase price of eligible products, less any applicable discounts and taxes shown on the receipt.

    You can redeem PC Optimum points at about 2,500 participating retail locations, including: 

    • grocery stores such as Loblaws, Fortinos, No Frills and Real Canadian Superstore
    • retail stores such as Zehrs and Joe Fresh
    • drugstores such as Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix

    Just tell the cashier that you would like to “spend” your points when you scan your PC Optimum card at the checkout counter. Or you can redeem points off your bill while shopping online at the Beauty Boutique, Joe Fresh and PC Express websites. 

    You can see the list of participating retailers here. While the PC Optimum rewards program is very flexible, there are a few limitations you should be aware of. PC Optimum points cannot be earned or redeemed for certain items, including tobacco, alcohol and gift cards. 

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    Lisa Jackson

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  • My New Favorite $4 Ice Cream Tastes JUST Like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup

    My New Favorite $4 Ice Cream Tastes JUST Like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup

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    Alexandra FosterEditorial Assistant at The Kitchn

    For the past 5+ years, I’ve worked in communications and managed companies’ social media accounts. Before joining The Kitchn, I served as the Culinary Editorial Fellow for Food Network. My work has been published in Food Network, Whetstone Magazine, and NYU’s Bite Magazine.

    While working in the nonprofit world, I decided to further my education at New York University where I earned my MA in Food Studies. My aim is to highlight diverse voices in the food world through my storytelling. I am also passionate about ensuring that all people have access to food and have worked for the nonprofits Just Food and West Side Campaign Against Hunger advocating for food justice and food security.

    In my free time, I love trying new plant-based foods, listening to music or podcasts, going to concerts, and being in nature. I’ve also loved baking since I was a kid and find it very therapeutic, so I will jump on any chance I get to whip up a sweet treat.

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    Alexandra Foster

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