Varying unit-pricing labels make comparison-shopping difficult
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With food prices rising, everyone is looking for ways to cut their grocery bills. One of the best ways to do that is to check unit-pricing labels -- that is, if you can find them.
Who isn't looking to save at the supermarket? The little unit-pricing label ought to be your best friend.
Good ones make it easy to compare prices. Unfortunately, unit pricing isn't universal.
"Most states don't require unit pricing. And in those states that do, the labels can vary radically. That can make it difficult to compare prices," said Tobie Stanger of Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports sent shoppers across the country to assess unit-pricing labels and found plenty of problems.
The one for Coke Zero is really tough to read. You have to look closely to see that the price is 90 cents per liter. In other cases, quantities couldn't be easily compared. Take the Bumblebee Tuna, for instance. One unit price is calculated per ounce, while the other unit price was calculated per pound.
"This mishmash of labeling is hurting consumers. There should be a law that requires a universal standardized unit-pricing label," said Stanger.
Right now, only nine states require mandatory unit pricing, and Washington state is not one of them. But even in states where unit pricing is required, Consumer Reports shoppers found that enforcement can be spotty.
Who isn't looking to save at the supermarket? The little unit-pricing label ought to be your best friend.
Good ones make it easy to compare prices. Unfortunately, unit pricing isn't universal.
"Most states don't require unit pricing. And in those states that do, the labels can vary radically. That can make it difficult to compare prices," said Tobie Stanger of Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports sent shoppers across the country to assess unit-pricing labels and found plenty of problems.
The one for Coke Zero is really tough to read. You have to look closely to see that the price is 90 cents per liter. In other cases, quantities couldn't be easily compared. Take the Bumblebee Tuna, for instance. One unit price is calculated per ounce, while the other unit price was calculated per pound.
"This mishmash of labeling is hurting consumers. There should be a law that requires a universal standardized unit-pricing label," said Stanger.
Right now, only nine states require mandatory unit pricing, and Washington state is not one of them. But even in states where unit pricing is required, Consumer Reports shoppers found that enforcement can be spotty.
