After a torrid June increase in the cost of the grocery retail marketbasket, July’s survey continued to show an increase but the pace was less than the previous month. The average cost of the 47 item marketbasket rose to $185.00 from June’s $184.07; the PracticalDad Index has risen to 103.71 and the three month moving average is now at 102.99. In other words, the cost of the basket is 3.7% higher than the survey’s inception in November, 2010.
Unlike previous months, canola oil and coffee were unchanged and far fewer items underwent price increases than in June. The principal increases were for hot dogs (5.1%), flour (5.2%) and potatoes (8.3%).
Potatoes?
Go figure, because I haven’t got a clue as to why, either.
For the record, July’s survey was done one week later in the month than the other months due to travel. The monthly index results, and the moving average are as follows:
| Month | $ Avg | Index | 3 M Moving Avg |
| Nov 2010 | 178.39 | 100 | |
| Dec 2010 | 180.30 | 101.07 | |
| Jan 2011 | 179.51 | 100.63 | 100.56 |
| Feb 2011 | 179.50 | 100.63 | 100.78 |
| Mar 2011 | 180.51 | 101.08 | 100.78 |
| Apr 2011 | 181.91 | 101.97 | 101.56 |
| May 2011 | 182.10 | 102.08 | 101.71 |
| Jun 2011 | 184.07 | 103.18 | 102.38 |
| Jul 2011 | 185.00 | 103.71 | 102.99 |
| Item | Size | Category | 5/11 | 6/11 | 7/11 |
| hot dog rolls (ct) | 8 | bread | 1.18 | 1.18 | 1.20 |
| loaf, wht bread, store brand (oz) | 20 | bread | 1.22 | 1.22 | 1.22 |
| spaghetti, store brand (oz) | 16 | bread | 1.21 | 1.21 | 1.21 |
| child cereal, sugar flakes, store brand (oz) | 17 | cereal | 2.90 | 2.90 | 2.90 |
| cereal, rice chex, store brand (oz) | 12.8 | cereal | 2.74 | 2.74 | 2.74 |
| oatmeal, one minute, store brand (oz) | 42 | cereal | 3.21 | 3.24 | 3.26 |
| milk, 2% (gallon) | 1 | dairy | 3.68 | 3.89 | 3.98 |
| butter, unsalted, store brand (lb) | 1 | dairy | 3.49 | 3.49 | 3.49 |
| vanilla ice crea, store brand (qt) | 1 | dairy | 2.01 | 2.01 | 2.01 |
| grated parmesan cheese, store brand (oz) | 8 | dairy | 3.08 | 3.08 | 3.08 |
| American cheese, deli (lb) | 1 | dairy | 5.52 | 5.52 | 5.52 |
| peanut butter, store brand (oz) | 28 | grocery | 2.96 | 2.96 | 2.96 |
| grape jelly, store brand (oz) | 32 | grocery | 1.82 | 1.92 | 1.92 |
| kidney beans, dark, store brand (oz) | 15.5 | grocery | .87 | .87 | .87 |
| can green peas, store brand (oz) | 15 | grocery | .92 | .92 | .94 |
| can diced tomatoes, store brand (oz) | 14.5 | grocery | .94 | 1.01 | 1.01 |
| can cut green beans, store brand (oz) | 14.5 | grocery | .91 | .92 | .94 |
| can corn, store brand (oz) | 15.25 | grocery | .92 | .92 | .94 |
| spaghetti sauce, store brand (oz) | 26 | grocery | 1.13 | 1.22 | 1.22 |
| cola, store brand (L) | 2 | grocery | .92 | .96 | .96 |
| caffeinated coffee, store brand (oz) | 13 | grocery | 4.15 | 4.15 | 4.15 |
| diapers, store brand (ct) | 100 | hlth/bty | 17.82 | 18.28 | 18.63 |
| formula, Enfamil Premium, Lipil (oz) | 23.4 | hlth/bty | 22.94 | 22.94 | 22.94 |
| child ibuprofen, OS, store brand (oz) | 4 | hlth/bty | 4.96 | 4.96 | 4.99 |
| adult ibuprofen, caplet, store brand (ct) | 100 | hlth/bty | 6.72 | 6.89 | 6.89 |
| shampoo, Suave (oz) | 22.5 | hlth/bty | 1.71 | 1.71 | 1.71 |
| pads, long/maximum, Poise (ct) | 42 | hlth/bty | 16.09 | 16.09 | 16.09 |
| bath soap, Dial (ct) | 8 | hlth/bty | 5.39 | 5.39 | 5.39 |
| aluminum foil, store brand (sq ft) | 75 | hshld | 2.97 | 2.97 | 2.97 |
| kitchen trash bags, store brand (ct) | 26 | hshld | 3.76 | 4.24 | 4.16 |
| paper towels, 2 ply, store brand (ct) | 8 | hshld | 7.26 | 7.26 | 7.26 |
| hot dogs, meat franks, store brand (oz) | 16 | meat | 2.56 | 2.56 | 2.69 |
| ground beef, 80% lean (lb) | 1 | meat | 3.39 | 3.39 | 3.46 |
| eggs, large (doz) | 1 | meat | 1.84 | 1.69 | 1.81 |
| lunchmeat, deli ham, chopped (lb) | 1 | meat | 4.06 | 4.06 | 4.06 |
| chicken, roaster (lb) | 1 | meat | 1.59 | 1.59 | 1.56 |
| fish sticks, Gortons (ct) | 44 | meat | 7.86 | 7.86 | 7.66 |
| tuna, water packed, store brand (oz) | 5 | meat | .78 | .81 | .81 |
| bananas (lb) | 1 | produce | .59 | .59 | .59 |
| apples, Red Delicious, bag (lb) | 3 | produce | 3.76 | 3.76 | 3.76 |
| carrots, bag (lb) | 2 | produce | 2.39 | 2.39 | 2.39 |
| OJ, non-concentrate, store brand (oz) | 64 | produce | 2.76 | 2.76 | 2.76 |
| potatoes, Russet (lb) | 5 | produce | 3.99 | 3.99 | 4.32 |
| sugar, store brand (lb) | 5 | staple | 3.22 | 3.22 | 3.22 |
| flour, All-Purpose, store brand (lb) | 5 | staple | 1.99 | 2.09 | 2.20 |
| canola oil, store brand (oz) | 48 | staple | 4.29 | 4.52 | 4.46 |
| rice, white, long-grain, store brand (lb) | 2 | staple | 1.63 | 1.73 | 1.73 |
| Total | 182.10 | 184.07 | 185.00 |