Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
No, overall prices in stores are not lower compared to a year ago. While the rate of price increases (inflation) has moderated compared to the sharp spikes of previous years, prices across almost all retail sectors have continued to climb.
This trend is a result of disinflation (where prices rise at a slower pace) rather than deflation (where actual prices drop).
An analysis of store prices reveals how different categories have changed over the past year:
1. Groceries (Food-at-Home)
On average, a typical cart of groceries costs 2.7% more than it did a year ago. However, the changes vary widely depending on what you are buying:
2. Apparel (Clothing & Footwear)
If you are shopping for clothes, you will generally find higher price tags than last year. The Consumer Price Index for apparel is up 3.6% year-over-year. This has been driven by increased sourcing costs and historically high average tariff rates on imported goods, which hit multi-decade highs in late 2025 and 2026.
3. Consumer Electronics
The tech aisle has experienced some of the steepest price hikes. Rather than prices dropping over time—as is historically common with older technology—laptops, smartphones, and game consoles are significantly more expensive than they were a year ago. Major manufacturers (including Lenovo, Dell, HP, Sony, and Microsoft) have raised list prices anywhere from 15% to 60% in 2026. This spike is largely driven by a global memory chip shortage, as manufacturers divert resources to supply high-demand hardware for artificial intelligence data centers.
Summary
With overall year-over-year inflation holding steady around 3.4%, shopping in physical or online stores generally costs more than it did a year ago. Aside from a few exceptions like eggs, most retail sectors are continuing to see price increases.
Citations (13)
- fastcompany.com
Backs: “No, overall prices in stores are not lower compared to a year ago.”
- nbcnews.com
Backs: “No, overall prices in stores are not lower compared to a year ago.”
- foodnavigator.com
Backs: “While the rate of price increases (inflation) has moderated compared to the sharp spikes of previous years, prices across almost all retail sectors have continued to climb.”
- usda.gov
Backs: “However, the changes vary widely depending on what you are buying:”
- grocerytradenews.com
Backs: “However, the changes vary widely depending on what you are buying: Where prices are higher: Beef and veal prices have surged by 9.4% to 15.0% due to tight cattle supplies.”
- usda.gov
Backs: “Farm-level milk prices also saw a minor decrease of about 2.4%.”
- ycharts.com
Backs: “The Consumer Price Index for apparel is up 3.6% year-over-year.”
- shenglufashion.com
Backs: “This has been driven by increased sourcing costs and historically high average tariff rates on imported goods, which hit multi-decade highs in late 2025 and 2026.”
- electronicspecifier.com
Backs: “Rather than prices dropping over time—as is historically common with older technology—laptops, smartphones, and game consoles are significantly more expensive than they were a year ago. Major manufacturers (including Lenovo, Dell, HP, Sony, and Microsoft) have raised list prices anywhere from 15% to 60% in 2026.”
- stuff.tv
Backs: “Rather than prices dropping over time—as is historically common with older technology—laptops, smartphones, and game consoles are significantly more expensive than they were a year ago. Major manufacturers (including Lenovo, Dell, HP, Sony, and Microsoft) have raised list prices anywhere from 15% to 60% in 2026.”
- statista.com
Backs: “Major manufacturers (including Lenovo, Dell, HP, Sony, and Microsoft) have raised list prices anywhere from 15% to 60% in 2026. This spike is largely driven by a global memory chip shortage, as manufacturers divert resources to supply high-demand hardware for artificial intelligence data centers.”
- senate.gov
Backs: “Summary. With overall year-over-year inflation holding steady around 3.4%, shopping in physical or online stores generally costs more than it did a year ago. Aside from a few exceptions like eggs, most retail sectors are continuing to see price increases.”
- usinflationcalculator.com
Backs: “Summary. With overall year-over-year inflation holding steady around 3.4%, shopping in physical or online stores generally costs more than it did a year ago. Aside from a few exceptions like eggs, most retail sectors are continuing to see price increases.”