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Muse Spark 1.2Sep 14, 2026meta/muse-spark-1.2-20260805

Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

No

I'll check whether store prices have fallen versus last year.

No, prices in stores are generally higher than a year ago, not lower. Inflation is still positive year-over-year, though the rate has moderated.

Most recent official data is August 2026, released September 11, 2026:

•The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in August after rising 0.1 percent in July, and over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.4 percent before seasonal adjustment.

> The all items index rose 3.4 percent for the 12 months ending August as it did for the 12 months ending July

•Headline held at 3.4% year-over-year; core eased to 2.4% - specifically The all items less food and energy index rose 2.4 percent over the year.
•Food overall:
•The energy index increased 16.3 percent for the 12 months ending August
•The food index increased 2.7 percent over the last year
•Food prices overall remain about 2.7% higher than a year ago
•Grocery store prices specifically (Food at home):
•| Food at home | 2.2% |
•The food at home index rose 2.2 percent over the 12 months ending in August

Breakdown for August 2026, not seasonally adjusted:

•| Food | 2.7% |
•| Food at home | 2.2% |
•| Cereals and bakery products | 2.6% |
•| Fruits and vegetables | 3.2% |
•| Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials | 3.7% |
•| Other food at home | 2.4% |
•| Food away from home | 3.4% |

A few categories are lower than a year ago:

•| Dairy and related products | -0.3% |
•| Used cars and trucks | -2.3% |
•| Medical care commodities | -2.7% |
•| Motor vehicle insurance | -5.1% |

In other words, there is no broad deflation - prices are not lower in stores compared to August 2025. The rate of increase has slowed for groceries - described as Grocery price increases slowed in March, offering some relief... but food costs remain higher than a year ago - but prices remain about 2-3% higher year-over-year.

Citations (2)

  1. 1bls.govGovernment
    Consumer Price Index News Release - 2026 M08 Results

    Backs: “Most recent official data is August 2026, released September 11, 2026: The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in August after rising 0.1 percent in July, and over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.4 percent before seasonal…”

    statistic, official document, points to no. Claim: CPI-U rose 0.4% in August and the all items index increased 3.4% over the last 12 months, so prices are higher than a year ago.

  2. 2bls.govGovernment
    12-month percentage change, Consumer Price Index, selected categories

    Backs: “Food prices overall remain about 2.7% higher than a year ago. Grocery store prices specifically (Food at home):”

    statistic, data page, points to no. Claim: Grocery store (food at home) prices are up about 2.2% over 12 months, with only a few categories lower.