Consumer News: Starbucks’ spring menu is back — here’s how to try it for less

Costco adds a healthier option to its classic meal

• Costco is making its first real change in decades to its iconic $1.50 hot dog combo, one of the most well-known deals in retail.

• Shoppers now have the option to swap the traditional soda for a Kirkland Signature bottled water at no additional cost.

• The update reflects shifting consumer habits, but the core value of the deal and its $1.50 price remains unchanged.

For decades, Costcos $1.50 hot dog and soda combo has been one of the most untouchable deals in retail. Prices have gone up everywhere, from groceries to gas, but that combo has stayed exactly the same.

Now, for the first time in more than 40 years, Costco is making a small but noticeable change.

Shoppers can now choose a 16.9-ounce bottle of Kirkland Signature water instead of a fountain soda. The price stays the same, and the original soda option (with free refills) isnt going anywhere.

On the surface, its a minor tweak. But its also a signal of how consumer habits are shifting and how to make smarter choices when youre at Costco.

Whats actually changing (and whats not)

The core deal remains untouched:

• $1.50 still gets you a hot dog + drink.
• Soda with free refills is still available.
• No price increase (and leadership says its staying that way).

The only difference:

• You now have a healthier, more convenient drink option.

That may not sound like much, but for regular Costco shoppers, it removes a common friction pointespecially for people trying to cut back on soda.

Why this matters for shoppers

This change isnt really about the hot dog, its more about changing consumer behavior.

More shoppers are:

• Cutting back on sugary drinks
• Looking for simpler, cleaner options
• Trying to avoid waste (grabbing a soda cup they wont use)

And Costco is adjusting without touching the price.

This translates into you getting more flexibility without losing value.

How to actually use this change to your advantage

If youre grabbing a quick meal at Costco, this is one of the easiest ways to make a healthier choice without spending more.

Heres how to play it:

• Choose water if you wouldnt drink the soda:A lot of people grab the combo and skip the drink. Now youre getting something youll actually use.
• Stick with soda if you want max value:Free refills still make soda the better pure value play if youre staying in-store.
• Use it as a budget meal strategy:The combo is still one of the cheapest prepared meals anywhere, especially when compared to other fast food spots.

The bigger takeaway

I realize this change is small, but it highlights something bigger.

Costco rarely touches its core value items like the hot dog meal or rotisserie chicken, but when it does, its usually to:

• Improve overall flexibility
• Match changing customer habits
• Keep shoppers loyal without raising prices

And right now, with food prices still so darn high, that matters.

Will other states take the same action?

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Maryland has become the first state to ban surveillance pricing in grocery stores.

• The new law targets the use of personal data to set individualized prices.

• Supporters say it protects consumers, while retailers warn of unintended consequences.

Maryland is breaking new ground on consumer protection, becoming the first state in the nation to prohibit so-called surveillance pricing in grocery stores a practice that uses shoppers personal data to charge some consumers higher prices than others.

Gov. Wes Moore signed the legislation into law this week, marking a significant shift in how retailers can use customer information. The measure bans grocery stores from adjusting prices based on data, such as a shoppers purchase history, location, income level, or online behavior.

Supporters say the move is designed to ensure transparency and fairness at a time when digital tools are increasingly shaping the shopping experience.

What is surveillance pricing?

Surveillance pricing refers to the use of algorithms and consumer data to set different prices for different shoppers, even for the same item. While retailers have long used loyalty programs and coupons to offer discounts, critics argue that newer technologies could allow companies to quietly charge higher prices to certain customers based on what they are willing or able to pay.

Maryland lawmakers said the practice raises concerns about privacy and potential discrimination.

"People deserve to know what price is on the shelf, and the price on the shelf is exactly the price they are going to pay at the checkout," Moore said at the signing ceremony.

"People deserve to know that the price that they pay is not different (from) the customer who walked in just before them, or different from the customer who walked in right after them. People deserve to know that their data will not be used against them to charge them more."

What the law does

The new law prohibits grocery retailers from using personal data to determine individualized pricing in-store or online. It does not ban traditional sales, coupons, or loyalty rewards programs, as long as those discounts are applied uniformly and transparently.

Retailers are still allowed to collect customer data, but they cannot use it to set different base prices for identical products.

Violations could result in fines and enforcement actions by the states consumer protection office.

Industry concerns

Retail groups have raised concerns about how the law could affect innovation and pricing strategies. Some argue that data-driven pricing can help stores manage inventory, reduce waste and offer targeted discounts to shoppers.

They also warn that broadly restricting data use could limit personalized deals that many consumers value.

Consumer advocates say the risks outweigh the benefits, especially if shoppers are unaware that prices may vary based on their personal profiles.

A potential model for other states

Marylands law comes as policymakers across the country take a closer look at how companies use consumer data. While dynamic pricing is common in industries like travel and ride-sharing, its expansion into everyday essentials like groceries has drawn increased scrutiny.

Advocates say other states may follow Marylands lead if concerns about fairness and transparency continue to grow.

The price of regular gas is up 27 cents in recent days

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Oil prices are rising due to the Strait of Hormuz disruption during the Iran war, limiting global crude supply and pushing gasoline prices higher.

• U.S. gas prices have jumped 27 cents in a week to a $4.30 national average, with much higher prices in some states like California ($6.01).

• Experts warn prices could keep climbing and remain volatile as geopolitical tensions persist and energy markets react to ongoing uncertainty.

As the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked due to the Iran War, millions of barrels of Persian Gulf crude remain in lockdown. Thats driving up the global price of oil, which in turn continues to push gasoline prices higher.

The price of Brent crude oil hit $126 a barrel this week before drifting slightly lower. WTI crude, produced in the U.S., rose to $106 a barrel. Thats having a big impact on U.S. gasoline prices, which have remained volatile since the start of the war with Iran.

Average gasoline prices rose in 39 states over the last week, with the national average moving higher, while diesel prices declined in most states, offering a brief divergence at the pump, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, writing in the GasBuddy blog.

However, that divergence may prove short-lived. Oil prices have been climbing again as markets react to renewed geopolitical tensions and the cancellation of talks between the U.S. and Iran. As a result, gasoline prices are set to rise further this week, with diesel expected to follow. Many inland states including those in the Great Lakes and Plains could see average gas prices climb to their highest levels since 2022, while price-cycling markets may also experience another round of hikes in the next few days.

Increasingly expensive fuel

According to AAA, the national average price of regular gas today is $4.30 a gallon. Thats a seven-cent increase since Wednesday and a 27-cent increase over the last week.

While $4.30 a gallon is the average, motorists in many states are paying much higher. The average price in California is $6.01 a gallon, the highest in the nation.

Motorists in Mississippi are getting the biggest break, paying only $3.77 a gallon. But a year ago, the average price was $2.67 a gallon.

Looking ahead, GasBuddy expects continued volatility in energy prices. With negotiations stalled and restrictions still in place, the energy data firm says markets will continue to react quickly to any signs of escalation or renewed diplomatic efforts.

The persistence of supply-side risks particularly in key transit routes and export infrastructure suggests oil prices could remain supported in the near term, even as sentiment shifts rapidly with each new headline, the company said.

Will other states take the same action?

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Maryland has become the first state to ban surveillance pricing in grocery stores

• The new law targets the use of personal data to set individualized prices

• Supporters say it protects consumers, while retailers warn of unintended consequences

Maryland is breaking new ground in consumer protection, becoming the first state in the nation to prohibit so-called surveillance pricing in grocery stores a practice that uses shoppers personal data to charge some consumers higher prices than others.

Gov. Wes Moore signed the legislation into law this week, marking a significant shift in how retailers can use customer information. The measure bans grocery stores from adjusting prices based on data such as a shoppers purchase history, location, income level or online behavior.

Supporters say the move is designed to ensure transparency and fairness at a time when digital tools are increasingly shaping the shopping experience.

What is surveillance pricing?

Surveillance pricing refers to the use of algorithms and consumer data to set different prices for different shoppers, even for the same item. While retailers have long used loyalty programs and coupons to offer discounts, critics argue that newer technologies could allow companies to quietly charge higher prices to certain customers based on what they are willing or able to pay.

Maryland lawmakers said the practice raises concerns about privacy and potential discrimination.

"People deserve to know what price is on the shelf, and the price on the shelf is exactly the price they are going to pay at the checkout," Moore said at the signing ceremony.

"People deserve to know that the price that they pay is not different (from) the customer who walked in just before them, or different from the customer who walked in right after them. People deserve to know that their data will not be used against them to charge them more."

What the law does

The new law prohibits grocery retailers from using personal data to determine individualized pricing in-store or online. It does not ban traditional sales, coupons or loyalty rewards programs, as long as those discounts are applied uniformly and transparently.

Retailers are still allowed to collect customer data, but they cannot use it to set different base prices for identical products.

Violations could result in fines and enforcement actions by the states consumer protection office.

Industry concerns

Retail groups have raised concerns about how the law could affect innovation and pricing strategies. Some argue that data-driven pricing can help stores manage inventory, reduce waste and offer targeted discounts to shoppers.

They also warn that broadly restricting data use could limit personalized deals that many consumers value.

Consumer advocates say the risks outweigh the benefits, especially if shoppers are unaware that prices may vary based on their personal profiles.

A potential model for other states

Marylands law comes as policymakers across the country take a closer look at how companies use consumer data. While dynamic pricing is common in industries like travel and ride-sharing, its expansion into everyday essentials like groceries has drawn increased scrutiny.

Advocates say other states may follow Marylands lead if concerns about fairness and transparency continue to grow.

The price of regular gas is up 27 cents in recent days

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Oil prices are rising due to the Strait of Hormuz disruption during the Iran war, limiting global crude supply and pushing gasoline prices higher.

• U.S. gas prices have jumped 27 cents in a week to a $4.30 national average, with much higher prices in some states like California ($6.01).

• Experts warn prices could keep climbing and remain volatile as geopolitical tensions persist and energy markets react to ongoing uncertainty.

As the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, due to the Iran War, millions of barrels of Persian Gulf crude remain in lockdown. Thats driving up the global price of oil, which in turn continues to push gasoline prices higher.

The price of Brent crude oil hit $126 a barrel this week before drifting slightly lower. WTI crude, produced in the U.S., rose to $106 a barrel. Thats having a big impact on U.S. gasoline prices, which have remained volatile since the start of the war with Iran.

Average gasoline prices rose in 39 states over the last week, with the national average moving higher, while diesel prices declined in most states, offering a brief divergence at the pump, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, writing in the GasBuddy blog.

However, that divergence may prove short-lived. Oil prices have been climbing again as markets react to renewed geopolitical tensions and the cancellation of talks between the U.S. and Iran. As a result, gasoline prices are set to rise further this week, with diesel expected to follow. Many inland statesincluding those in the Great Lakes and Plainscould see average gas prices climb to their highest levels since 2022, while price-cycling markets may also experience another round of hikes in the next few days.

Increasingly expensive fuel

According to AAA, the national average price of regular gas today is $4.30 a gallon. Thats a seven-cent increase since Wednesday and a 27-cent increase over the last week.

While $4.30 a gallon is the average, motorists in many states are paying much higher. The average price in California is $6.01 a gallon, the highest in the nation.

Motorists in Mississippi are getting the biggest break, paying only $3.77 a gallon. But a year ago, the average price was $2.67 a gallon.

Looking ahead, GasBuddy expects continued volatility in energy prices. With negotiations stalled and restrictions still in place, the energy data firm says markets will continue to react quickly to any signs of escalation or renewed diplomatic efforts.

The persistence of supply-side risksparticularly in key transit routes and export infrastructuresuggests oil prices could remain supported in the near term, even as sentiment shifts rapidly with each new headline, the company said.