Natural Grocers® Maintains Commitment to Affordable Prices During Record Inflation

"Inflation" is a word at the forefront of many conversations right now—for good reason. From gas stations to department stores, consumers are feeling the pressure of rising prices. Customers at Natural Grocers®, the nation's largest family-operated organic and natural grocery retailer, can shop with confidence knowing they can still get high-quality organic and natural products at Always AffordableSM prices.

ALWAYS AFFORDABLE PRICES: A FOUNDING PRINCIPLE

"Our parents founded Natural Grocers in 1955 with the belief that everyone should have access to affordable healthy..." 

U.S. General Merchandise Unit Sales Fell 7% in April, as Retail Revenue Declined 1%, Reports NPD

As demand softens, the retail product mix needs to attract both value seekers and premium buyers

The consumer’s willingness to spend has been crucial to maintaining a healthy level of retail performance throughout the pandemic, but demand has been softening for several months. April 2022 U.S. general merchandise unit sales were 7% lower than a year ago, creating a 1% decline in sales revenue, according to The NPD Group.

“Higher retail prices have buffered demand declines but their escalation, combined with rising gas prices..."

U.S. Bans Imports of Russian Oil, Natural Gas, and Coal

Earlier today, President Biden announced that he will sign an Executive Order to "ban the import of Russian oil, liquefied natural gas, and coal to the United States". The sanction against Russia is a result of "widespread bipartisan support that will further deprive President Putin of the economic resources he uses to continue his needless war of choice". 

According to a fact sheet released by the White House, today's Executive Order bans:

• The importation into the United States of Russian crude oil and certain petroleum products, liquefied natural gas, and coal. Last year, the U.S. imported nearly 700,000 barrels per day of crude oil and refined petroleum products from Russia and this step will deprive Russia of billions of dollars in revenues from U.S. drivers and consumers annually.
   
• New U.S. investment in Russia’s energy sector, which will ensure that American companies and American investors are not underwriting Vladimir Putin’s efforts to expand energy production inside Russia.
   
• Americans will also be prohibited from financing or enabling foreign companies that are making investment to produce energy in Russia...

Stop & Shop and Flashfood Team Up to Reduce Food Waste and Save Customers Money on Groceries

Stop & Shop, a neighborhood grocer with more than 400 stores throughout the Northeast, today announced it is rolling out Flashfood to its Pawtucket and Providence, RI, stores following a successful pilot. Flashfood is a digital marketplace that strives to eliminate food waste at the retail level by connecting consumers with discounted food nearing its best by date. As a result of the program’s impact to date, Flashfood has diverted 30 million pounds of food from ending up in landfills throughout the U.S. and Canada...

U.S. Inflation's Persistent Rise Hits Fastest Pace in 39 Years

U.S. inflation reached a nearly four-decade high in November, as strong consumer demand collided with pandemic-related supply constraints.

The Labor Department said the consumer-price index -- which measures what consumers pay for goods and services -- rose 6.8% in November from the same month a year ago. That was the fastest pace since 1982 and the sixth straight month in which inflation topped 5%.

The so-called core price index, which excludes the often-volatile categories of food and energy, climbed 4.9% in November from a year earlier...