Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?

Overall, prices in stores are not lower than a year ago in the U.S. — but the picture is mixed depending on what you're buying and where you shop.

Overall Price Trends (U.S.)

Inflation is still running above target, though it has slowed from its peak. As of the latest data, consumer prices rose at a seasonally adjusted rate of 0.4% in August, and compared with August of 2025, the CPI increased 3.4%. Recent August 2026 CPI data held steady at 3.4% year-over-year, with a 0.4% monthly increase driven largely by energy commodities amid oil supply disruptions and gasoline prices surging over 27% annually.

Grocery prices specifically are also still higher than a year ago on average: grocery store food prices were up 2.2% in August, as fruits, vegetables, beverages, cereals and meats and eggs came with higher tags.

But Some Items ARE Cheaper

While the overall basket costs more, several specific products have actually dropped in price:

•Eggs: Eggs are the clearest bright spot in this year's grocery data — USDA expects retail egg prices to fall roughly 30% for all of 2026, after prices were already down close to 28% to 35% year-over-year by early summer.

•Other staples: A regional price tracker found that a grocery basket totaling $109.56 was roughly 3.6% lower than last year, though shoppers are still paying more than they were a year ago overall, just getting some relief compared to a few months prior. That tracker also noted orange juice is down compared to last year, as is bacon and even coffee.

What's Still Going Up

Not everything is getting cheaper — some categories are rising sharply:

•Beef: USDA's latest projection puts beef and veal price increases somewhere between 7.5% and nearly 11% for 2026, with ground beef setting fresh price records at grocery chains across the country.

•Coffee: Coffee prices also continued to climb, with instant coffee up 15.8% year over year, roasted coffee up 12.2%, and coffee overall up 9.4%.

•Tomatoes: These have been notably expensive, up 12.8% year over year as of mid-2026.

UK Context

If you're asking about the UK, the picture is somewhat better: shop price inflation decreased to 1.4% year on year in September, against growth of 1.5% in August, according to the BRC-NIQ Shop Price Monitor. Retail analysts note that many retailers have maintained promotions, and some have introduced price cuts to help drive demand, which is helping keep inflation lower than a year ago.

Bottom Line

So the honest answer is: it depends on the item. Broad price indexes show costs are still higher year-over-year, but relief has arrived for specific products like eggs, while other staples like beef and coffee continue climbing. If you want, I can look up specific items or your local area for a more precise comparison.

Citations (11)

1naahq.orgNot yet classified
Inflation: September 2026
Source excerpt: “Today’s Consumer Price Index report shows that prices rose at a seasonally adjusted rate of 0.4% in August, picking up speed from the 0.1% gain in Jul...”
2polymarket.comNot yet classified
September Inflation US - Annual Trading Odds & Predictions 2026
Source excerpt: “Recent August 2026 CPI data held steady at 3.4% year-over-year, with a 0.4% monthly increase driven largely by energy commodities amid oil supply disr...”
3naahq.orgNot yet classified
Inflation: September 2026
Source excerpt: “Grocery store food prices were up 2.2% in August, as fruits, vegetables, beverages, cereals and meats and eggs came with higher tags. ”
4govtschemes.orgLow provenance
Grocery Prices Could Drop in 2026: Here's What's Actually Getting Cheaper (And What Isn't) - Govtschemes.org
Source excerpt: “## Eggs Are the Biggest Winner This Year Eggs are the clearest bright spot in this year’s grocery data, and the numbers are striking. USDA now expec...”
5wreg.comNews and mediaquality 0.63
Price Tracker September 2026: Grocery basket totals drop slightly from last month
Source excerpt: “The total for this month’s grocery basket was $109.56. It’s not a huge difference from August, but it’s roughly 3.6% lower than last year this time ...”
6wreg.comNews and mediaquality 0.63
Price Tracker September 2026: Grocery basket totals drop slightly from last month
Source excerpt: “Orange juice is also down compared to last year, so is bacon, and believe it or not, so is coffee!”
7govtschemes.orgLow provenance
Grocery Prices Could Drop in 2026: Here's What's Actually Getting Cheaper (And What Isn't) - Govtschemes.org
Source excerpt: “## Beef Is Becoming a Genuine Budget Problem USDA’s latest projection puts **beef and veal price increases somewhere between 7.5% and nearly 11% for 2...”
8betterreport.comLow provenance
Some Grocery Prices Are Finally Going Down — Here’s What’s Getting Cheaper - Better Report
Source excerpt: “Coffee prices also continued to climb, with instant coffee up 15.8% year over year, roasted coffee up 12.2%, and coffee overall up 9.4%. ”
9betterreport.comLow provenance
Some Grocery Prices Are Finally Going Down — Here’s What’s Getting Cheaper - Better Report
Source excerpt: “According to the latest BLS data, the cost of tomatoes is up 12.8% year over year, while apples cost 11% more in July 2026 than they did in July 2025....”
10talkingretail.comNews and media
Retailers keep prices low despite rising cost pressures
Source excerpt: “Mike Watkins, head of retailer and business insight, NIQ, said: “Shoppers reset spend in September and sales growth slowed ... Shop price inflation d...”
11talkingretail.comNews and media
Retailers keep prices low despite rising cost pressures
Source excerpt: “Mike Watkins, head of retailer and business insight, NIQ, said: “Shoppers reset spend in September and sales growth slowed after the hot summer. So ma...”