Most shoppers assume grocery prices are straightforward—what’s on the tag is what everyone pays. But behind the scenes, many chains quietly adjust costs depending on your zip code. This practice, known as price zoning, means two shoppers can pay very different amounts for the same gallon of milk or loaf of bread. Retailers say it reflects supply, demand, and local operating costs, but for consumers, it often feels unfair. Here are seven grocery chains that play retail roulette by charging different prices based on where you live.
