Memphis Grocery Tracker Shows Mixed Price Shifts

Local price check data reveals lower costs for beef and coffee alongside higher prices for other pantry staples.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Inflation

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a wooden crate with beef, coffee beans, and lettuce, representing local grocery price fluctuations. — Memphis shoppers are seeing mixed grocery price trends, with ground beef and coffee costs falling even as other pantry staples remain elevated. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you feel that grocery prices in your area are becoming more affordable recently?

The WREG Price Tracker shows that average prices for ground beef and coffee fell in mid-October across Memphis. Despite these specific decreases, costs for several other grocery items remain elevated compared to earlier in the summer.

Why it matters

Understanding these fluctuations helps local households navigate evolving food costs as stores prepare for the upcoming holiday season. Tracking grocery trends provides insight into how individual commodity prices shift relative to broader economic conditions.

The three-store average for ground beef in Memphis hit $7.20 per pound, marking a 17-cent decrease from the previous month. Coffee prices averaged $15.55, bolstered by a drop of more than $2 at Walmart locations.

The players

WREG Price Tracker

This is a local monitoring initiative that conducts monthly average price checks on various grocery staples in the Memphis area.

Walmart

This major retail corporation is included in the tracking data and recently saw a price drop for coffee exceeding $2.

The details

Data from the monthly tracker indicates that while ground beef is down, it remains 20% more expensive than at the start of 2025. Meanwhile, prices for milk, lettuce, ice cream, and mac and cheese have trended upward or remained higher than levels seen during the summer.

Early 2025: The WREG Price Tracker began monitoring local grocery costs.
Summer 2026: Ground beef prices previously reached a peak of nearly $8 per pound.
Mid-October 2026: Average prices for beef and coffee were recorded across three stores.
Holiday season 2026: Local stores are currently increasing stock levels for the season.

Macro View

This report follows a pattern established by the WREG Price Tracker to identify local inflationary trends. The data provides a localized snapshot of how consumer goods fluctuate compared to historical peaks recorded in the Memphis market.

Shoppers may find relief in lower ground beef and coffee prices during their next trip to the store. However, households should anticipate higher costs for dairy and frozen goods as they budget for the upcoming holiday season.

The takeaway

Monitoring localized price data helps families anticipate shifting grocery bills before major holidays arrive. Consumers can leverage these trends to adjust their shopping lists and budget effectively for seasonal necessities.