Stew Leonard Jr. reacts to inflation impact as grocery prices grow

Added: 2026-05-30

[00:00:00]You may be like me, and you go grocery shopping all the time, family of four, and I look at my receipt, and I'm like, how is this happening?

[00:00:08]>> roller coaster.

[00:00:09]>> Yes, it absolutely. Groceries are more expensive. Economists are now saying it could only get worse. The price of groceries rose 2.9% in April compared to the same time last year. Government data released in May shows that was the highest year-over-year jump for groceries since August 2023.

[00:00:24]>> Wow. People are paying more for meat, fruit, [music] veggies, even coffee, and grocery store chains like Stew Leonard's are dealing with the cost of inflation while trying to also keep their loyal shoppers coming back. Joining us right now is Stew Leonard Jr., who's the president and CEO of Stew Leonard's grocery store chain. I always enjoy seeing you on TV. Um you make it really clear for us what we can buy, what we should buy. What are you hearing from people first of all before we get to that?

[00:00:49]Well, you know, Lindsey, I I think what you have to do is break inflation up into two little buckets. One of them is inflation, which is the labor and fuel cost and energy in general cost that've gone up. The second part of this is supply and demand. Like right now, if you look I I know you mentioned uh inflation's up 3%. It would only really we look at our prices here at the store, they're only up 1% from last year.

[00:01:15]Uh but the thing that's making it really tough is the meat. It's the lowest bird size in 50 years that they have, and the demand is still there for great meat.

[00:01:27]But but the supply isn't, so it's driven up the meat prices. Another good example, I had terrible weather in Florida just for people watching from Florida, cold. They lost a whole planting, and I talked to our tomato farmer if the prices of tomatoes went up like eggs. Has nothing to do with the cost or inflation, it has to do with supply and demand. So, I think if you look at the inflation numbers today, even though you do say, you know, they're they're up so much, they're really up really less as far as the cost of it goes.

[00:02:00]But supply and demand is another issue.

[00:02:02]So, that's driving costs up, too. And Stu, you're in a perfect place to see how farmers are struggling. They're dealing with not just the increased costs, but also fuel prices. They've been hit by tariffs, as well. What are you hearing from them on on on how challenging it's making things for them to get you things at a good price? Hey Errol, great question. Listen to what I'll I'll I'll give you an example. The other morning I was out in this I was up in my office. I got a call from our farmer.

[00:02:33]He's been farming for 80 years down in Florida. He said, "Stu, you know what?

[00:02:37]It's going to cost me $2,000 more to send a tractor trailer of your corn, tomatoes, you know, peppers, all the great stuff they're growing down there now up to the New York area for you." And then I come down in the store here and I go up to a customer and they say, "Hey Stu, you know what happened?

[00:02:56]It cost me $50 extra in fuel to fill up my Suburban."

[00:03:01]I'm stuck in the middle. Right.

[00:03:03]>> I'm stuck I can't raise prices and I'm not raising prices right now.

[00:03:08]But I'm going back to our farmers and I'm saying to the guy, "Look, I'll split the $2,000. You You eat a thousand, I'll eat a thousand." Wow, that's incredible.

[00:03:16]And Stu, so for the people who are watching, if they're going to go out and they're going to buy some stuff for their cookout, what what advice do you have on where people can save?

[00:03:25]Okay, well, first of all, look for the specials. Look for the app deals.

[00:03:30]Leave your kids at home from pick up company car, right?

[00:03:35]Um and and stick to your plan. I mean, we do a lot of demos at the store. I hate to, you know, product demos. I hate to say it, but don't buy on impulse right now. It's really important. And you know what? Another thing, like for instance, this is a great watermelon from Florida right now. Okay, it's about if if you want to have the luxury of it, we also have these all cut up chunks.

[00:03:56]You know, it's beautiful, but it's going to cost you.

[00:03:59]It's almost like giving somebody a tip of $6, $7, you know, >> [laughter] >> extra. Do it yourself. Chop it at home.

[00:04:06]>> And our And our labor rates are $20 to $23 an hour right now. So, I have to have a person cutting that up and it's expensive. So, the So, so do it at home. Okay, make your own mashed potatoes. Cut your own watermelon.

[00:04:21]>> is so helpful. Stew Leonard Jr., thank you for all that advice. Good to see you.

[00:04:24]>> Hey.

[00:04:25]Hey Lindsey, if I could just say one thing, this you know, I lost a son to a drowning, a little 2-year-old boy. This is the most dangerous weekend right now, Memorial Day for drowning. I'm going to get a lot of calls, I hate to say it on after the holidays of of tragedies that happen. I just want to tell everybody, please put your cell phones down, watch your kids around the water, and be extra vigilant this weekend. And the danger zone is through your through the like 4-year-olds right now. Yeah.

[00:04:54]>> Our condolences to you, Stew. Great advice for everyone to to keep in mind.

[00:04:58]Thank you so much. Everyone stay close.

[00:05:01]We'll all be >> Happy.