Are prices lower in stores compared to a year ago?
I'll check recent inflation and retail price data to compare current store prices with those from a year ago.I have the latest official CPI figures. Next I'll pull a few more details on grocery and specific retail categories for a fuller picture.[1][2]No, prices in stores are generally not lower compared to a year ago—they are higher on average, though the pace of increases has moderated from the high inflation of 2021–2023, and some individual items or categories have declined.
According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for August 2026 (released September 11, 2026):
Category Highlights (August 2025–August 2026)
These come from BLS detailed CPI data:[2]
| Category | YoY Change |
|---|---|
| All items | +3.4% |
| Food at home (groceries) | +2.2% |
| Food away from home | +3.4% |
| Apparel | +3.6% |
| Shelter | +3.0% |
| Used cars and trucks | –2.3% |
| Dairy and related | –0.3% |
| Medical care commodities | –2.7% |
| Motor vehicle insurance | –5.1% |
| Gasoline | +27.4% |
Some subcategories (e.g., certain fruits/vegetables in prior periods, specific dairy items, or select apparel) have seen declines or flat prices at times, and retailer-specific checks (like past Walmart basket comparisons) often show a mix—roughly half of items stable or down, others up—due to promotions, supply changes, or competition. However, a typical full basket costs more than a year earlier.[3]
Context and Trends
In short, while shoppers may notice deals or lower prices on specific goods (and wages have often outpaced inflation recently in real terms), the broad data shows store and consumer prices are higher than a year ago. The next CPI release (for September 2026) is scheduled for October 14, 2026. For the most current local or item-specific checks, tools like grocery price trackers or retailer apps can help.
Citations (4)
- https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm
Backs: “I'll check recent inflation and retail price data to compare current store prices with those from a year ago.I have the latest official CPI figures.”
- https://www.bls.gov/news.release/charts/cpi-cpi_rc_1cpibycat.stm
Backs: “I'll check recent inflation and retail price data to compare current store prices with those from a year ago.I have the latest official CPI figures.”
- https://www.moneytalksnews.com/npr-walmart-cost-comparison/
Backs: “Some subcategories (e.g., certain fruits/vegetables in prior periods, specific dairy items, or select apparel) have seen declines or flat prices at times, and retailer-specific checks (like past Walmart basket comparisons) often show a mix—roughly half of items stable or down, others up—due to promotions, supply…”
- https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2025/consumer-price-index-2024-in-review.htm
Backs: “Inflation has cooled substantially from double-digit peaks in some categories during 2021–2022 (e.g., food-at-home was up over 11% in parts of 2022). Annual increases in 2024 and 2025 were in the 2.7–2.9% range for the overall CPI, and grocery inflation has been relatively modest (around 1–2+% in recent full years).”