If you&#x27;ve felt squeezed every time you shop for groceries, there may finally be some good news. Kroger is cutting prices on thousands of items as competition heats up with Walmart, Costco, Aldi and Lidl. Clark explains why grocery stores are fighting harder than ever for your business, why private label products are becoming the best value in the store, and how inflation continues to affect everyday staples like tomatoes. Then, Clark looks at a new way to cut one of your biggest monthly bills. AT&amp;T has launched a new &quot;Build-a-Plan&quot; option starting at just $15 per month. Clark explains who this plan works for, how much data most people actually need, and why so many consumers are paying for unlimited plans they rarely use. If you&#x27;ve been hesitant to leave one of the major wireless carriers but want to spend less every month, this new offering could be exactly the kind of competition that helps put money back in your pocket. Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the June 22, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark. Save More On Groceries: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Save More On Your Phone Plan: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Grocery Prices Are Forcing a Major Change How to Save Money on Groceries: 22 Clever Ways Citi Stops Issuing Oft-Recommended Cash Back Credit Card Best Credit Cards for Groceries in 2026 Cash Back Credit Card Calculator Understanding Home Equity Agreements AT&amp;T’s New “Build-A-Plan” Starts at $15/Month With Data The Best Phone Plan For You – Compare Phone Plans Best Cell Phone Plans &amp; Deals (2026): Find the Cheapest Option for Your Needs Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com / Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

06.22.26   The Competition Customer Advantage: Supermarkets and Phone Plans

The Clark Howard Podcast

# Full Transcript

**Podcast:** The Clark Howard Podcast

## Participants

- **Clark Howard** (None)
- **Christa** (None)

## Transcript

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[SPEAKER_03] I'm so glad you're with us here on the Clark Howard Show. You know, our mission is to serve you with advice and information that empowers you to make better financial decisions in your life. This episode, I'm going to talk about something that we all do. Buy food. There's a price war that has reached the supermarket aisles and you and I are going to benefit. All I can say is it's about time.

[SPEAKER_03] Another segment of the market where competition has benefited the consumer from time to time. It's the cell phone industry. Well, I'm always talking about cheap plans. But then people roll their eyes when they're not from one of the big three.

[SPEAKER_03] I've got one from one of the big three. I'm going to talk about it later. But right now, I want to talk about one of the great ironies of the grocery aisle. Who is the largest supermarket in the United States? By far, it's Walmart. What supermarket chain has the lowest, consistently lowest customer satisfaction scores in the U.S. is Walmart.

[SPEAKER_03] But then in an internal industry study that's reported in all the grocery industry press, who's the most trusted supermarket in the United States? By far, it's Walmart. How do you square this? Walmart, by far the largest seller of groceries, lowest customer satisfaction numbers, highest trust scores.

[SPEAKER_03] Because what is it that motivates people right now? It's price, right? When we've been through a cycle of inflation that unfortunately has heated back up and is much uglier than it was even two years ago, a year ago. The price of groceries is people are just struggling to pay everyday bills comes front and center. So that means market share moves. Who's market share moving to?

[SPEAKER_03] Obviously Walmart. And then to who is right on the edge of becoming the nation's s...

06.22.26 The Competition Customer Advantage: Supermarkets and Phone Plans

Transcript

Built for investment professionals

Every day you wait, your competitors are finding
edge in conversations you're not hearing.

06.22.26 The Competition Customer Advantage: Supermarkets and Phone Plans

Transcript

Built for investment professionals

Every day you wait, your competitors are findingedge in conversations you're not hearing.

Every day you wait, your competitors are finding
edge in conversations you're not hearing.