Canadian grocery prices outpace CPI for 18th month, shoppers compare more

In July, grocery prices in Canada rose 3.1% year over year, outpacing the 3% CPI for the 18th consecutive month. A recent survey shows 71.1% of Canadians now compare prices between retailers more often, while 39.1% buy more private‑label products.

Consumers are also spreading their spending across more stores, with 85% using loyalty programs and 93.9% knowing how they work. Fresh fruit prices climbed 6.1% and vegetables 3.9%, making these categories the biggest drivers of grocery inflation.

Shoppers can stretch their dollars by using price‑comparison apps, targeting discount banners and applying coupons before checkout. Store brands such as President’s Choice and No Name run 20‑30% cheaper than name‑brand equivalents, according to EY Canada.

Read the full story at Yahoo! Finance Canada.