RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – A dozen basic grocery items cost an average of $49.63 at three Richmond stores, according to a joint investigation by the On Your Side Investigators and NBC stations across the country, including the Today Show.
On Your Side Investigator Rachel DePompa purchased the same 12 items — milk, butter, eggs, orange juice, bread, cheese, cereal, fresh meat, vegetables, pasta, tomato sauce and coffee — in person, by pickup and by delivery at Target, Walmart and Whole Foods locations in Richmond.
Store memberships were not used. Local sales tax and bag fees were included.
“All of a sudden prices have skyrocketed,” said Richmond shopper Claire Marsh. “Like in the last month. It’s obscene.”
Delivery fees add up fast
Choosing delivery over shopping in store added between $14.15 and $18.95 per order in fees and tips. At that rate, weekly deliveries over a month could cost roughly $60 in fees alone.
Pickup orders, however, cost the same as shopping in person — offering a time-saving option without the added expense.
Richmond prices on par with higher-income markets
The Today show divided participating NBC stations into regions. Virginia was grouped in the South alongside Miami, Fla., and southern Texas.
The investigation found Richmond grocery prices comparable to those in New York and Boston, where incomes are often higher.
One example: a bottle of orange juice at a Richmond Walmart was priced at $7.96 — $1.48 more than the same bottle at a Walmart in Fairfax, Va., where it cost $6.48.
Most shoppers Rachel spoke with were shocked at how much 12 basic groceries cost. Again that average was around 50 bucks. “Years ago that would be a whole week’s groceries,” Claire Marsh said.
“I really can’t believe that — I thought it would be much less than that,” said shopper Kate McCreery.
What the stores said
In a statement, Walmart said most of its stores use the same prices, but that “certain commodities … can vary regionally due to localized cost and distribution differences.”
Target said its prices can differ store to store due to local promotions and competition.
Whole Foods said its prices may vary due to “region-specific promotions, regulatory compliance, variances in transportation and operating costs.”
Store memberships can provide discounts on groceries and free delivery, but subscriptions can cost $100 or more per year — a factor to consider when determining whether a membership makes financial sense.
Today Show report
Check out the “Today Show” report below:
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