Memphis Grocery Prices Drop for Beef and Coffee
Memphis business owners face fluctuating ingredient costs as grocery retailers begin seasonal holiday inventory stocking.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Inflation
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Memphis grocery shoppers see relief on specific staples as prices for ground beef and coffee fall, though other pantry items remain elevated. This shift in local basket costs comes as retailers begin stocking shelves for the 2026 holiday season.
Why it matters
Fluctuating commodity costs force local food service operators to constantly re-evaluate menu pricing and procurement strategies to maintain margins. Understanding which staples are trending downward helps managers balance food cost volatility against ongoing inflationary pressures.
A mid-October survey shows the average price of ground beef at $7.20 per pound, marking a 17-cent monthly decrease, while coffee averaged $15.55 with a $2 price drop at Walmart. Despite these declines, beef prices remain 20% higher than at the start of 2025.
The players
WREG
A local television station that conducts monthly grocery price tracking in the Memphis market.
Walmart
A national big-box retailer that serves as a primary source for local food pricing data.
The details
The price data reflects a three-store average check of common grocery staples in Memphis. Retailers are actively adjusting pricing as they transition to holiday season inventory, a period typically characterized by shifts in product availability and shelf space allocation. While ground beef and coffee saw recent price dips, milk, lettuce, and mac and cheese have experienced upward pressure compared to summer 2026 levels.
Timeline
Early 2025: The WREG Price Tracker began monitoring local grocery costs.
Summer 2026: Ground beef prices peaked at nearly $8 per pound.
Mid-October 2026: Average prices for ground beef and coffee were recorded.
Holiday season 2026: Retailers began increasing stock of seasonal goods.
Market Landscape
This development follows the 2025-2026 inflationary trend for U.S. food staples, where prices for essential items have remained persistently high. The latest data marks a departure from the peak summer 2026 levels but illustrates that market volatility remains a standard feature for local operators.
Operators should monitor these price shifts when finalizing seasonal menu costs to account for the disparity between declining ground beef prices and rising costs for pantry staples. Financial planning for the remainder of the year should assume continued price fluctuation as holiday demand shifts market supply.
The takeaway
While ground beef and coffee prices show recent declines, operators should note that key staples like milk and produce continue to exhibit upward volatility. Tracking monthly local commodity averages is essential for identifying which items to secure early before holiday demand peaks.
Further reading
For additional context on local pricing dynamics, see the latest updates in our Inflation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News Channel 3 WREG-TV Memphis.
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