Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

Generally speaking, no, overall prices in stores are not lower compared to a year ago. On average, prices at grocery and retail stores continue to rise, though the speed at which they are rising (the inflation rate) has slowed down compared to the peak spikes seen in previous years.

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.4% over the year.

A breakdown of how store prices compare to a year ago shows varying trends across different categories:

1. Groceries (Food at Home) — Generally Higher

•The Numbers: Overall grocery prices (the "food-at-home" index) are 2.7% higher compared to last year.

•The Exceptions: While the overall grocery bill is higher, some major national retailers (such as Walmart, Target, and Aldi) have aggressively cut prices on thousands of specific, highly visible staple items—such as selected produce, ground beef, potato chips, and dairy—to appeal to budget-conscious shoppers. However, these are targeted promotions; the baseline cost of a full cart of groceries has still risen.

2. Clothing and Apparel — Higher

•The Numbers: If you are shopping for clothes, you will likely find them more expensive than last year. The CPI for apparel is up 3.6% year-over-year.

3. Electronics and Tech Hardware — Slightly Lower

•The Numbers: If you are shopping for devices, computers, or smart home tech, you are likely to find better deals. The CPI category for Information Technology, Hardware, and Services is one of the few store categories that has seen actual deflation, dropping 1.1% compared to last year.

Why do prices still feel so high?

Many shoppers expect "cooling inflation" to mean that prices will return to what they were a few years ago. Economists distinguish between disinflation (prices rising at a slower pace) and deflation (prices actually falling).

Currently, the economy is experiencing disinflation. While a few select items or categories have gotten cheaper (like certain electronics or promotional store-brand items), the overall cost of stocking your pantry and buying everyday retail goods is higher than it was a year ago.

Citations (7)

1in2013dollars.comData and tools
in2013dollars.com
Backs: “Generally speaking, no, overall prices in stores are not lower compared to a year ago.”
2thecooldown.comCommercial content
thecooldown.com
Backs: “On average, prices at grocery and retail stores continue to rise, though the speed at which they are rising (the inflation rate) has slowed down compared to the peak spikes seen in previous years.”
3bls.govGovernment
bls.gov
Backs: “According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.4% over the year.”
4in2013dollars.comData and tools
in2013dollars.com
Backs: “Clothing and Apparel — Higher. The Numbers: If you are shopping for clothes, you will likely find them more expensive than last year. The CPI for apparel is up 3.6% year-over-year.”
5ycharts.comData and tools
ycharts.com
Backs: “The CPI for apparel is up 3.6% year-over-year. 3.”
6ycharts.comData and tools
ycharts.com
Backs: “Electronics and Tech Hardware — Slightly Lower. The Numbers: If you are shopping for devices, computers, or smart home tech, you are likely to find better deals. The CPI category for Information Technology, Hardware, and Services is one of the few store categories that has seen actual deflation, dropping 1.1% compared…”
7reddit.comForums and Q&A
reddit.com
Backs: “Many shoppers expect "cooling inflation" to mean that prices will return to what they were a few years ago. Economists distinguish between disinflation (prices rising at a slower pace) and deflation (prices actually falling).”