Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

Short answer: No. As of the latest data available (August 2026, released September 11, 2026), overall U.S. consumer prices were 3.4% higher than a year earlier, not lower. Grocery prices (“food at home”) were 2.2% higher year over year. Some individual categories did fall—e.g., dairy was down 0.3% and used cars were down 2.3% versus August 2025—but the overall level is higher.[1]

If you’re thinking about a specific type of store or item, tell me which and I’ll pull the latest figures for that category.