Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
No, prices in stores are generally not lower compared to a year ago; on average, they are higher, though inflation has moderated and many retailers are offering more discounts and rollbacks on specific items.[1]
Official Inflation Data (US, as of August 2026)
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index (CPI):
Grocery category details (YoY):
These figures mean a typical grocery basket costs more than a year earlier, even if the pace of increases has slowed from the high inflation of prior years. Cumulative grocery price increases since early 2020 remain substantial (around 30%+).[4]
Retailer Actions and Shopper Experience
Grocers and retailers (Aldi, Walmart, Costco, Kroger, Stop & Shop, and others) have been cutting prices or expanding promotions on many items to compete for price-sensitive shoppers who are buying less volume or seeking bargains. Examples include:
Some individual items or categories (eggs, certain dairy, select produce, or promoted goods) are cheaper than a year ago, and aggressive discounting can make a carefully shopped basket feel lower. However, the average basket and most broad categories remain higher. Location, shopping habits, and mix of goods matter—local prices can vary (e.g., some metros higher than the national average).[7]
Broader Context
Bottom line: Stores are not broadly cheaper than a year ago. Overall prices (and grocery prices specifically) are up a few percent, but the environment features more competition, promotions, and selective price cuts that can help offset this for careful shoppers. Your personal experience will depend on what and where you buy. For the latest, check current BLS CPI releases or retailer apps/circulars.
Citations (9)
- https://www.bls.gov/cpi/latest-numbers.htm
Backs: “No, prices in stores are generally not lower compared to a year ago; on average, they are higher, though inflation has moderated and many retailers are offering more discounts and rollbacks on specific items.”
- https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm
Backs: “Food: +2.7% YoY.”
- https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.t01.htm
Backs: “Food at home (groceries): +2.2% YoY (unchanged month-over-month in August).”
- https://americandefault.org/statistics/grocery-price-increase-since-2020/
Backs: “Cumulative grocery price increases since early 2020 remain substantial (around 30%+).”
- https://www.webpronews.com/grocers-cut-prices-first-as-shoppers-hunt-bargains-on-every-aisle/
Backs: “Roughly one-third of its assortment cheaper than a year ago, with targeted cuts (e.g., certain produce and chicken at multi-year lows) totaling tens of millions in savings.”
- https://www.businessinsider.com/grocery-sellers-tout-savings-to-attract-cash-strapped-shoppers-2026-9
Backs: “Similar rollbacks and promotions at Walmart, Costco (highlighting specific Kirkland items), and others on staples, produce, snacks, and more.”
- https://foodtradenews.com/2026/09/23/are-groceries-getting-cheaper-why-your-bill-may-say-otherwise/
Backs: “Location, shopping habits, and mix of goods matter—local prices can vary (e.g., some metros higher than the national average).”
- https://www.bls.gov/news.release/charts/cpi-cpi_rc_1cpibycat.stm
Backs: “Non-food store goods (commodities less food and energy) rose only modestly (~0.7% YoY), with declines in areas like used cars/trucks.”
- https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/adcebf76787245bdbaa15b35331c0a1e-5HjdjBD_2/
Backs: “In the UK, shop price inflation was around +1.4% YoY recently, also positive but slowing due to promotions.”