"Grocery Bill Still High? Blame 'Sticky' Prices," October 19, 2008. Christopher Leonard. Associated Press.

"Worries over a global recession have pushed the price of oil to its lowest in over a year. Don't expect the same for a bottle of beer, a tube of toothpaste, or a box of cereal.

You can blame 'sticky' prices.

That's what analysts call it when companies slap higher prices on products and keep them there even though the rationale for the price hikes — such as soaring oil prices — is gone.

The falling cost of oil could help companies pad their profit margins as they pay less to make and transport goods. But it won't mean a break on the average grocery bill.

The price of consumer goods typically lags behind the price of key inputs like oil and wheat, said Chris Lafakis, an economist with Moody's economy.com.

'Consumer prices don't change near as fast, because they are set by companies,' Lafakis said. 'Commodity prices are set every day on an open market.' ...