Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
On average, no, prices in stores are not lower than they were a year ago.
While the rate of inflation has slowed down, prices for most everyday items in stores continue to rise, just at a more gradual pace. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, overall consumer prices increased by 3.4%.
It is easy to confuse a slowing inflation rate with falling prices (deflation). When economists say inflation is "cooling," they mean prices are rising more slowly than before, not that they are returning to past levels.
1. Grocery Store Prices (Food-at-Home)
Overall, grocery store prices are 2.2% higher than they were a year ago. While this is a major improvement from the double-digit price hikes of 2022, groceries are still more expensive than in 2025.
The price trend across the supermarket aisles is highly uneven:
2. Clothing and Retail Goods
If you are shopping for non-grocery items, most retail goods are also more expensive than a year ago:
Summary
If you are looking for relief at the checkout counter, you will find it in a few select items like eggs, dairy, or used electronics and cars. However, for the vast majority of items—from your weekly grocery run to a new outfit—you will still pay more than you did a year ago.
Citations (13)
- consumeraffairs.com
Backs: “On average, no, prices in stores are not lower than they were a year ago.”
- bls.gov
Backs: “According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, overall consumer prices increased by 3.4%.”
- bls.gov
Backs: “According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, overall consumer prices increased by 3.4%.”
- actowizsolutions.com
Backs: “Grocery Store Prices (Food-at-Home). Overall, grocery store prices are 2.2% higher than they were a year ago.”
- grocerytradenews.com
Backs: “The price trend across the supermarket aisles is highly uneven:”
- usda.gov
Backs: “The price trend across the supermarket aisles is highly uneven: What is more expensive: Nonalcoholic beverages: Up 3.7%. Fruits and vegetables: Up 3.2% (driven by items like fresh tomatoes and lettuce)”
- agbull.com
Backs: “The price trend across the supermarket aisles is highly uneven: What is more expensive: Nonalcoholic beverages: Up 3.7%. Fruits and vegetables: Up 3.2% (driven by items like fresh tomatoes and lettuce). Cereals and bakery products: Up 2.6%. Beef and veal: Prices have continued to climb sharply (up nearly 9% to 10%…”
- reddit.com
Backs: “What is actually cheaper: Eggs: Egg prices have fallen significantly from their avian-flu-induced peaks in early 2025.”
- ycharts.com
Backs: “Clothing and Retail Goods. If you are shopping for non-grocery items, most retail goods are also more expensive than a year ago: Apparel: Clothing and shoe prices are up 3.6% compared to last year.”
- bls.gov
Backs: “Clothing and Retail Goods. If you are shopping for non-grocery items, most retail goods are also more expensive than a year ago: Apparel: Clothing and shoe prices are up 3.6% compared to last year.”
- aftermarketmatters.com
Backs: “New Vehicles: New car prices remain elevated, though their price growth has flattened, rising less than 0.6% year-over-year.”
- bts.gov
Backs: “Used Vehicles: If you are shopping for a used car or truck, this is one of the few major categories where prices have dropped, down roughly 1.9% to 3.9% depending on the month.”
- bls.gov
Backs: “Used Vehicles: If you are shopping for a used car or truck, this is one of the few major categories where prices have dropped, down roughly 1.9% to 3.9% depending on the month.”