Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

Leans no

Short answer: usually no. In most places the overall price level is still higher than a year ago. Inflation has cooled in many countries compared with 2022–23, but that generally means prices are rising more slowly, not falling. That said, some categories do drop year over year (often electronics, used cars, some appliances, gasoline, and a few grocery items like eggs or certain meats at times), while many groceries and most services remain up.

If you tell me your country and what you’re buying (e.g., groceries vs general retail), I can point you to the latest official figures and typical category movers.

How to check quickly:

•United States: Look up “BLS CPI food at home” and “CPI all items” year-over-year. For a broader retail view, check “core goods” or FRED series CPIAUCSL and CUSR0000SAF11.

•UK: ONS CPI/CPIH, especially the “food and non-alcoholic beverages” category.

•Euro area: Eurostat HICP and the food subindex.

If you share a short list of items you often buy, I can estimate how your personal basket likely changed versus a year ago.

Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

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