In the TV game show “The Price Is Right,” contestants are called from the studio audience to “Come on Down” and take a spot in the front row behind bidding lecterns, known as “Contestants’ Row.” The contestants then compete in a bidding round to determine which will play the next pricing game. The contestant whose bid is closest to the actual retail price of a product, without going over, wins that item and gets to play the subsequent pricing game.
When it comes to the grocery industry, inflation is causing consumers to play a different kind of pricing game — looking to maximize their dollars on nutritious food and beverages. As a byproduct, experts note that fewer consumers are frequenting natural and organic retailers than traditional grocers.