How Chicago Shoppers Are Adapting to Rising Grocery Prices

As food prices continue to rise, shoppers in Chicago are feeling the squeeze. McMillanDoolittle Director Amanda Lai joined NPR’s Chicago affiliate, WBEZ, on Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons for a recent segment exploring how consumers are adapting to grocery inflation and what it means for the retail landscape. The conversation featured Stephanie Zimmermann, consumer investigations reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times; Errol Schweizer, host of The Checkout Grocery Update; and Sana Syed, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at IMAN and Go Green Community Fresh Market. Together, the group unpacked the trade-offs consumers are making, from switching stores to dining out less frequently, as grocery bills stretch household budgets.

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Lai shared insights on how inflation is reshaping shopper behavior and accelerating shifts across the retail landscape. With value top of mind, consumers are leaning more heavily on private label, couponing, and loyalty programs. New disruptors are gaining traction by helping consumers stretch their budgets while reducing food waste. Examples of this include Martie, an online overstock grocery discounter, and Too Good To Go, an app that allows customers to purchase unsold food from restaurants and stores at discounted prices. Retailers, in turn, are responding with more targeted pricing strategies and a sharper focus on promotions and affordability. The segment painted a clear picture of today’s grocery climate—where adaptability, for both consumers and retailers, is more critical than ever.

Listen to the full segment wherever you get your podcasts—whether that’s on WBEZ, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Looking for a speaker to bring an expert perspective to your next industry event? Contact us to learn how McMillanDoolittle can support your upcoming conference, panel, or strategy session with expertise across macroeconomic, consumer, and food retail trends.