How inflation is hitting Super Bowl parties
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Your favorite Super Bowl foods keep getting more expensive.
The big picture: Grocery prices were up roughly 2.4% in December compared to a year earlier, weighing on household budgets even as overall inflation held steady.
- Dining out costs have also climbed.
By the numbers: Prices for meat, poultry, fish, eggs, fruits, veggies, alcohol and soft drinks all rose over the past year, according to federal data.
- Still, prices for those Super Bowl picks are increasing at a slower pace than a few years ago.
Between the lines: Certain household and watch-party staples saw double-digit price hikes from the prior year, including beef (+16%) and candy (+10%).
- But some other groceries, such as eggs, are getting cheaper, and President Trump dropped tariffs on dozens of foods late last year.
Reality check: U.S. consumers continue to face higher prices than before the pandemic, with prices for all items up 26% since December 2019.
State of play: Total Super Bowl spending could climb around 9% this year compared to last, hitting a record $20.2 billion, driven largely by food and drinks, the National Retail Federation predicts.
The bottom line: Consider cutting back on wings and soda for the game on Sunday, Feb. 8, between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.
