Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

In general, no, overall prices in stores are not lower compared to a year ago. While some specific products and categories have seen price drops, overall retail and consumer prices have continued to rise over the past year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the USDA, the cost of goods remains elevated, though the pace of price increases (inflation) varies depending on what you are buying.

Below is a breakdown of where prices stand compared to last year:

1. Groceries (Food-at-Home)

•Overall Trend: Higher. The cost of groceries (food-at-home) is up 1.8% year-over-year.

•What is more expensive? Beef and veal remain highly elevated (up 3.5% over the last year) due to tight domestic cattle supplies. Sugar, sweets, and fresh vegetables have also continued to see upward price pressures.

•What is actually cheaper? There are a few bright spots for shoppers. Retail egg prices have declined significantly (by nearly 29%) as supply chains recovered from avian flu disruptions. Dairy products have also seen a modest decline, dropping about 0.7% compared to last year.

2. Clothing and Apparel

•Overall Trend: Higher. Apparel prices are up 3.4% year-over-year. Retailers have largely passed on higher sourcing, labor, and logistics costs to consumers, reversing the heavy promotional discounting that was common in previous years.

3. Energy and Transportation (The Ripple Effect)

•Overall Trend: Much Higher. Energy prices jumped 20.4% over the past year, driven by a 34.2% spike in gasoline prices. Because fuel and shipping costs are major factors in retail supply chains, these transportation spikes have put upward pressure on the price of physical goods on store shelves.

4. What is Cheaper Than Last Year?

While the vast majority of items are more expensive, a few select categories in the broader CPI basket have seen decreases:

•Used Cars and Trucks: Down 1.5% year-over-year (though retail inventory is still tight and average listing prices remain historically high).

•Medical Care Commodities: Down 3.3% year-over-year.

•Specific Food Staples: Eggs and certain dairy products.

The Bottom Line

If you feel like your store trips are costing more, you aren't imagining it. Even though big-box retailers (like Target) have made public announcements about slashing prices on thousands of everyday essentials to attract cash-strapped shoppers, the overall statistical average for a retail basket of goods is roughly 3.7% more expensive than it was at this time last year. Slower inflation simply means prices are rising at a more gradual pace—it does not mean they are returning to previous, lower levels.

Citations (12)

1senate.govGovernment
senate.gov
Backs: “In general, no, overall prices in stores are not lower compared to a year ago. While some specific products and categories have seen price drops, overall retail and consumer prices have continued to rise over the past year.”
2senate.govGovernment
senate.gov
Backs: “In general, no, overall prices in stores are not lower compared to a year ago. While some specific products and categories have seen price drops, overall retail and consumer prices have continued to rise over the past year.”
3us-debt-clock.comNot yet classified
us-debt-clock.com
Backs: “According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the USDA, the cost of goods remains elevated, though the pace of price increases (inflation) varies depending on what you are buying.”
4usda.govGovernment
usda.gov
Backs: “According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the USDA, the cost of goods remains elevated, though the pace of price increases (inflation) varies depending on what you are buying.”
5grocerytrack.foodNot yet classified
grocerytrack.food
Backs: “Sugar, sweets, and fresh vegetables have also continued to see upward price pressures.”
6foodtradenews.comNews and media
foodtradenews.com
Backs: “What is actually cheaper? There are a few bright spots for shoppers.”
7fibre2fashion.comNews and media
fibre2fashion.com
Backs: “Overall Trend: Higher.”
8fashionatingworld.comNot yet classified
fashionatingworld.com
Backs: “Retailers have largely passed on higher sourcing, labor, and logistics costs to consumers, reversing the heavy promotional discounting that was common in previous years.”
9forbes.comNews and mediaquality 0.83
forbes.com
Backs: “Because fuel and shipping costs are major factors in retail supply chains, these transportation spikes have put upward pressure on the price of physical goods on store shelves.”
10bls.govGovernment
bls.gov
Backs: “While the vast majority of items are more expensive, a few select categories in the broader CPI basket have seen decreases:”
11autotrader.comCompanies
autotrader.com
Backs: “Used Cars and Trucks: Down 1.5% year-over-year (though retail inventory is still tight and average listing prices remain historically high).”
12experionglobal.comNot yet classified
experionglobal.com
Backs: “Even though big-box retailers (like Target) have made public announcements about slashing prices on thousands of everyday essentials to attract cash-strapped shoppers, the overall statistical average for a retail basket of goods is roughly 3.7% more expensive than it was at this time last year.”