New numbers show consumers aren't changing their feelings much about the economy compared to last month. The University of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers data came out Friday, and the Consumer Sentiment Index came in at 77.9%.
One area in which consumers have been paying close attention is in the cost of certain products most families buy. This week's 3.5% year to year increase in the Consumer Price Index was pushed by higher costs for gas, housing and car insurance — but another place folks feel the pinch is in their regular trips to the grocery store.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics said this week overall food prices were flat between February and March, giving consumers some relief. Kulkarni said factors over recent years like drought, avian flu, labor costs and the lowest cattle numbers in decades have led to increased food prices.