business
The 'rockets and feathers' effect: Inflation eases but grocery bills do not
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by DEE-ANN DURBIN and The Associated Press , KTSM 9 News (NBC)
· July 25, 2026
· 1 min read
Photo: KTSM 9 News (NBC) · view original
Economics has a term for what U.S. grocery prices have done in recent years: rockets and feathers. Rockets, because the cost of food eaten at home zoomed up in the aftermath of the pandemic. Feathers, because once prices rise, they’re slow to come down. That’s been frustrating for Americans hit w...
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Summary created by The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting DEE-ANN DURBIN and The Associated Press, KTSM 9 News (NBC) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 25, 2026 Indexed here Jul 25, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway grocery prices have done in recent years: rockets and feathers.
Why this matters in The El Paso
For El Paso residents, the "rockets and feathers" effect is more than just an economic concept - it's a harsh reality that affects daily budgets. As inflation eases, many are still feeling the pinch of high grocery bills, which can be particularly challenging for low-income households that rely heavily on affordable food options. The slow decline in prices means that families may have to continue making tough choices between essentials, potentially impacting their overall well-being. In a city where many residents already face financial constraints, the persistence of high grocery prices can exacerbate existing economic disparities. As local leaders consider ways to support residents, they may need to focus on initiatives that address food affordability and accessibility, such as promoting local food systems or providing assistance to those struggling to make ends meet.
About this story
Original reporting by KTSM 9 News (NBC) . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KTSM 9 News (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 25, 2026 ·
Source: KTSM 9 News (NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Economics has a term for what U.S. grocery prices have done in recent years: rockets and feathers. Rockets, because the cost of food eaten at home zoomed up in the aftermath of the pandemic. Feathers, because once prices rise, they’re slow to come down. That’s been frustrating for Americans hit w...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 25, 2026 by KTSM 9 News (NBC) and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by DEE-ANN DURBIN and The Associated Press at KTSM 9 News (NBC). To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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