Kroger has emerged as the cheapest U.S. grocery chain, according to a new price comparison study. The Ohio-based grocer had the lowest total cost for a basket of 15 store-brand essentials, with a price of $30.
A study conducted by Restaurant Furniture Plus compared the cost of essential grocery items at Kroger, Walmart, Aldi, and Albertsons. The items included milk, bread, eggs, chicken breast, spaghetti, canned beans, and baking supplies. Kroger offered the lowest prices on 10 out of the 15 items analyzed, more than any other retailer in the comparison.
Walmart ranked second with a total basket cost of $30.95. Aldi followed at $33.15, and Albertsons came in last with a total of $35.58. The study did note, however, that Aldi's store-brand dairy products represented a strong value.
The grocer also provided the lowest prices for several pantry staples such as canned diced tomatoes, spaghetti, sugar, and a dozen large eggs. Kroger operates approximately 1,229 grocery stores across 16 states.
The study did not include retailers like Costco, Trader Joe's, H-E-B, or Piggly Wiggly. Trader Joe's was excluded because it did not stock some of the necessary items for the comparison, while Costco's bulk purchasing model made direct price comparisons for single items difficult.
These findings come at a time when many Americans are facing increased grocery expenses. Food prices have risen 32% over the last five years, according to a separate study by the Urban Institute. That report indicated that over one in four working-age Americans have incurred credit card debt to cover their regular grocery bills, citing persistently higher prices as a key concern for household budgets.