business
The 'rockets and feathers' effect: Inflation eases but grocery bills do not
Summary by The San Antonio Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Dee-Ann Durbin, Associated Press , KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 25, 2026
· 5 min read
Photo: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) · view original
Economics has a term for what U.S. grocery prices have done in recent years: rockets and feathers. Rockets, because the cost of food eaten at home zoomed up in the aftermath of the pandemic. Feathers, because once prices rise, they’re slow to come down. That’s been frustrating for Americans hit w...
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Summary created by The San Antonio Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Dee-Ann Durbin, Associated Press, KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 25, 2026 Indexed here Jul 25, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway That’s been frustrating for Americans hit with the sharpest increase in grocery prices in 50 years.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
In San Antonio, the persistence of high grocery prices will likely continue to affect local households, particularly those with limited budgets. As consumers seek deals and shop around, discounters like Costco and Aldi may gain market share at the expense of traditional grocers. This shift could have implications for the city's retail landscape, potentially leading to changes in the way local grocery stores operate and compete. Additionally, the trend of replacing name-brand products with store brands may also impact local businesses that rely on sales of branded goods. With the US Department of Agriculture predicting a 2.7% rise in food prices at home this year, San Antonio residents can expect to continue feeling the pinch, making every dollar count and seeking out affordable options to make ends meet. The city's economy, which is heavily influenced by consumer spending, may also feel the effects of reduced grocery spending and changed shopping habits.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 25, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 5 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Economics has a term for what U.S. grocery prices have done in recent years: rockets and feathers. Rockets, because the cost of food eaten at home zoomed up in the aftermath of the pandemic. Feathers, because once prices rise, they’re slow to come down. That’s been frustrating for Americans hit w...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 25, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dee-Ann Durbin, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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