Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

Prices a year ago — I'll pull fresh inflation data to compare today's store prices.

No - on average, prices in stores are higher than a year ago, though the rate of increase has slowed and some items / chains are cheaper.

Overall inflation:

•The Consumer Price Index increased 0.4% in August 2026 and 3.4% from a year earlier. BLS table for August 2026 shows:

•All items 3.4%

•Food 2.7%

•Food at home 2.2%

Grocery / food-at-home:

•Food prices rose 0.1 percent in August, while grocery prices were unchanged overall for the month

•Over the past year, food-at-home prices increased 2.2 percent, while food-away-from-home prices rose 3.4 percent

Independent retail data shows same trend:

•August same-store retail sales decreased 1.1% year-over-year, while average prices for the top 500 items rose 1.7%

•Inflation in NRS' basket, as measured by top-selling items, was 1.7%, unchanged from July

Other measures:

•Prices for everyday goods are up 2.2% versus a year ago

Exceptions - a few categories are lower than a year ago:

•Dairy and related products -0.3%

•Used cars and trucks -2.3%

And some retailers have cut prices on select assortments:

•At ALDI nearly one-third of products on ALDI shelves every day are now priced lower than last year, with nearly one-third of the everyday in-store assortment priced lower than last year

So while you may find some individual items or stores advertising lower prices than last year, the overall price level in stores is still about 2-3% higher than a year ago, not lower.

Citations (2)

1bls.govGovernment
*12-month percentage change, Consumer Price Index, selected categories, August 2026, not seasonally adjusted*
Backs: “The Consumer Price Index increased 0.4% in August 2026 and 3.4% from a year earlier.”
2stocktitan.netData and tools
IDT NRSInsights August Same-Store Sales Down 1.1% | IDT Stock News
Backs: “Over the past year, food-at-home prices increased 2.2 percent, while food-away-from-home prices rose 3.4 percent. Independent retail data shows same trend: August same-store retail sales decreased 1.1% year-over-year, while average prices for the top 500 items rose 1.7%”