As food prices continue to rise, AI grocery shopping is rapidly becoming a survival strategy for consumers. With household costs climbing, grocery shopping is shifting toward data-driven planning, as shoppers turn to AI and mobile apps to control spending.
ABC recently reported, citing data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, Bureau of Labor Statistics), that grocery prices rose an average of 2.4% year over year last year. The increases felt by consumers are sharper in everyday items: coffee jumped 19.8%, ground beef rose 15.5%, and non-alcoholic beverages increased 5.1%.
In this environment, consumers are using AI and mobile tools to manage budgets more precisely. A central tool is the digital flyer app.
Flipp brings together weekly flyers and coupons from major chains and local grocery stores on a single screen. By entering a ZIP code, users can instantly compare nearby deals and plan shopping routes based on price differences between stores. Basket tracks regional prices for identical products and recommends the lowest-cost store.
The use of AI is expanding quickly. Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude create grocery lists when users enter a monthly budget. They suggest substitute ingredients for expensive items and provide alternative recipes.
Some services analyze photos taken in stores, comparing unit prices and brand efficiency by volume. Shoppers can decide at the shelf which product offers better value.
Another growing option is FlashFood, which sells food nearing its expiration date at a discount. Partnering with local supermarkets, it offers fresh items at 30% to 50% off, easing the burden of high-cost goods such as meat and produce.
These changes are influencing the retail structure itself. As private-label products grow, Aldi, where more than 90% of items are store brands, plans to open more than 180 new locations across 31 states.
By Eunyoung Lee (lee.eunyoung6@koreadaily.com)
