Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

No, overall prices in stores are generally not lower than a year ago, though the picture is mixed by category, with mild increases on average for many goods, some declines, widespread retailer price cuts/promotions, and variation by item and location.[1]

As of the latest available U.S. data (September 2026 Consumer Price Index from the Bureau of Labor Statistics):

•Headline CPI (broad consumer prices): +3.7% year-over-year.[2]

•Food at home (groceries and supermarket staples): +1.8% YoY (it fell slightly month-over-month). This is the most relevant measure for typical store shopping.[1]

•Commodities less food and energy (core goods like apparel, household items, vehicles excluding energy/food): +0.7% YoY.[1]

•Food overall (including restaurants): +2.5% YoY; food away from home was higher at +3.5%.[3]

Category Highlights (Sep 2025 to Sep 2026)

•Down or softer: Dairy and related products (−0.7%); used cars and trucks (−1.5%); medical care commodities (−3.3%). Some individual grocery items (e.g., certain meats, eggs in prior periods, or produce) have also declined or stabilized due to supply factors.[1]

•Up: Apparel (+3.4%); fruits and vegetables (+3.7%); nonalcoholic beverages (+3.8%); cereals/bakery (+2.1%); new vehicles (+0.6%). Energy (especially gasoline, +34.2%) has been a major upward driver overall but is more relevant at the pump than inside most stores.[3]

Earlier periods (e.g., much of 2024) saw more noticeable goods deflation or flat prices in many retail categories as supply chains normalized and retailers competed aggressively, with companies like Walmart, Target, and others rolling back prices on thousands of items.[4][5] That competitive pressure continues—retailers still frequently announce cuts (e.g., Target on home/apparel items) and promotions because consumers remain price-sensitive after years of elevated costs.[6] Specific discounters (including some international examples like Aldi) report large shares of their assortment cheaper or unchanged versus a year prior.[7]

Practical Takeaways for Shoppers

•Your basket may feel similar or even cheaper if it emphasizes discounted items, private-label brands, declining categories (e.g., dairy or certain proteins), or heavily promoted goods. Half or more of tracked items in some past store audits stayed flat or fell.[8]

•Average experience is modestly higher costs, especially for a broad grocery or general merchandise haul. Cumulative inflation since the pandemic means prices remain well above 2019–2020 levels even where YoY changes are small.

•Factors like shrinkflation (smaller packages at similar prices), regional differences, store format (discount vs. premium), and promotions heavily influence what you pay day-to-day.

•Energy and services (shelter, etc.) have been stickier contributors to overall inflation feelings, even when core store goods are calmer.

Data can shift monthly (next major U.S. CPI updates follow the BLS schedule), and experiences differ outside the U.S. (e.g., some UK grocery reports show more products cheaper at discounters amid moderate inflation). For the most personalized view, compare receipts or unit prices for your regular items, or check current retailer apps/circulars, as competition keeps many prices in check.

Citations (8)

1bls.govGovernment
https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.t01.htm
Backs: “No, overall prices in stores are generally not lower than a year ago, though the picture is mixed by category, with mild increases on average for many goods, some declines, widespread retailer price cuts/promotions, and variation by item and location.”
2bls.govGovernment
https://www.bls.gov/cpi/latest-numbers.htm
Backs: “Headline CPI (broad consumer prices): +3.7% year-over-year.”
3bls.govGovernment
https://www.bls.gov/charts/consumer-price-index
Backs: “Food overall (including restaurants): +2.5% YoY; food away from home was higher at +3.5%.”
4retailbrew.comNews and media
https://www.retailbrew.com/stories/2024/12/18/2024-was-the-year-of-discounts-price-cuts-and-more-affordable-assortments
Backs: “Earlier periods (e.g., much of 2024) saw more noticeable goods deflation or flat prices in many retail categories as supply chains normalized and retailers competed aggressively, with companies like Walmart, Target, and others rolling back prices on thousands of items.”
5investopedia.comCommercial contentquality 0.93
https://www.investopedia.com/shoppers-could-be-seeing-lower-prices-this-holiday-season-8729096
Backs: “Earlier periods (e.g., much of 2024) saw more noticeable goods deflation or flat prices in many retail categories as supply chains normalized and retailers competed aggressively, with companies like Walmart, Target, and others rolling back prices on thousands of items.”
6retaildive.comNews and media
https://www.retaildive.com/news/target-cuts-prices-consumer-sentiment-sours/831627/
Backs: “Earlier periods (e.g., much of 2024) saw more noticeable goods deflation or flat prices in many retail categories as supply chains normalized and retailers competed aggressively, with companies like Walmart, Target, and others rolling back prices on thousands of items.That competitive pressure continues—retailers…”
7thegrocer.co.ukNot yet classified
https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/more-than-a-third-of-aldi-products-cheaper-than-a-year-ago/725462.article
Backs: “Earlier periods (e.g., much of 2024) saw more noticeable goods deflation or flat prices in many retail categories as supply chains normalized and retailers competed aggressively, with companies like Walmart, Target, and others rolling back prices on thousands of items.That competitive pressure continues—retailers…”
8npr.orgNews and mediaquality 0.93
https://www.npr.org/transcripts/nx-s1-5241014
Backs: “Half or more of tracked items in some past store audits stayed flat or fell.”