Grocery prices are up, but spending is down

According to the semi-annual Acosta Sales & Marketing report titled "The Why Behind the Why," average monthly spending on groceries is 7% less than it was one year ago. This spending decrease is despite the fact that grocery prices are higher than they were in 2010.

Other report findings include the following:

• Americans spend an average of $94.60 on a routine grocery visit. Last year it was $98.70.
• Grocery spending has been affected by high gas prices. The average shopper will make fewer grocery trips when the price of gas reaches $3.70 per gallon.
• 53% of Americans are paying more attention to what they buy at the grocery store; 43% are buying less food; 41% are using coupons or looking for sales; and 22% are shopping at less expensive stores than they once did.