Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
Overall, no — prices in stores are generally still higher than a year ago in most places, though a few specific items have gotten cheaper.
In the U.S.:
Overall inflation hasn't reversed — it's actually picked up recently. The all items index rose 3.7 percent for the 12 months ending September, a larger increase than the 3.4-percent increase reported for the 12 months ending in August. The food index increased 2.5 percent over the last year.
Breaking it down by category:
In the UK: Retailers have been actively working to hold prices down — many retailers have maintained promotions, and some have introduced price cuts to help drive demand, all of which is helping to keep inflation lower than a year ago. That means UK shop-price inflation is lower (i.e., prices are rising more slowly), not necessarily that prices themselves have fallen outright.
Globally: The broader trend is still upward, not downward — year-on-year inflation in the OECD, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, rose to 4.5% in September 2026, up from 4.3% in August.
Bottom line: Most store prices are still higher than a year ago, driven largely by energy costs and certain food categories like beef. The main exception is eggs, which have dropped sharply as flocks have recovered from avian flu, and a few other items like tomatoes, potatoes, and dairy have also eased slightly.
Citations (10)
- Consumer Price Index Summary - 2026 M09 Results
Source excerpt: “The all items index rose 3.7 percent for the 12 months ending September, a larger increase than the 3.4-percent increase reported for the 12 months en...”
- Consumer Price Index Summary - 2026 M09 Results
Source excerpt: “The food index increased 2.5 percent over the last year.”
- Food Inflation and the Outlook for Beef Prices - farmdoc daily
Source excerpt: “Food-at-home prices were unchanged in August but were 2.2% higher than a year ago.”
- Food Inflation and the Outlook for Beef Prices - farmdoc daily
Source excerpt: “Notably, beef and veal prices increased 5.9% and fish and seafood prices increased 6.5%, while egg prices declined 23.0%. ”
- Food Inflation and the Outlook for Beef Prices - farmdoc daily
Source excerpt: “Poultry prices increased a more modest 0.5%, while dairy and related product prices were 0.3% lower than a year ago. ”
- Groceries Are on a Wild Ride This Year. From a 29.3% Drop to an 8.7% Rise. What’s in Your Cart?
Source excerpt: “Retail egg prices were 20.6% lower in September 2026 than a year earlier, and the USDA forecasts a 29.3% drop for the full year. ”
- Consumer Price Index Summary - 2026 M09 Results
Source excerpt: “The energy index increased 20.4 percent for the 12 months ending September. ”
- Consumer Price Index Summary - 2026 M09 Results
Source excerpt: “The all items less food and energy index rose 2.6 percent over the year, following a 2.4-percent increase over the 12 months ending August. ”
- Retailers keep prices low despite rising cost pressures
Source excerpt: “So many retailers have maintained promotions, and some have introduced price cuts to help drive demand, all of which is helping to keep inflation lowe...”
- Consumer Prices, OECD - Updated: 6 November 2026
Source excerpt: “Year-on-year inflation in the OECD, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose to 4.5% in September 2026, up from 4.3% in August. ”